The deceased, Mabel Okafor, who lived alone in her palatial duplex at House J68B, Close 9, VGC, Ajah, had no domestic worker except the gate man.
The gate man, with an undisclosed identity, was said to have resumed work about two months ago. He was reportedly brought by the deceased’s former gate man.
Aresident who did not want his name in print, said:
“Nobody knew that the woman was dead until last Friday. We learned that she was stabbed last Wednesday, but it was not until her church members visited on Friday that they found her decomposing body.
The gate of the building was only bolted, but not locked when the church members came.
One of them said they became apprehensive after several calls to her mobile telephone indicated that her line was switched off, prompting them to pay her a visit, only to be welcome with a stench from her room.
“Her body was found on the floor of the sitting room downstairs, with a knife protruding out of her stomach.
“After her death, some gate men from the suspected culprit’s ethnic group said he had boasted that he would leave an indelible mark on her madam, following an argument over the increase in his salary. They said he claimed he was being paid N20,000 but demanded an increase of N10,000 but the woman refused.
The fleeing gate man was quoted by some gate men here to have argued that he usually washed his madam’s car and also swept the compound.”
Another resident, who simply gave his name as Goke, said:
“Police have not been able to get the gate man since the incident occurred, neither have they been able to reach the one that brought him. “In fact, the gate man went away with her phone. We have been warned several times to employ private guards from registered security companies, but some landlords here do not heed the advice. “Had the fleeing gate man been employed from a registered company, it would have been easy for police to get him. “
How can one who owned a property worth about N300 million not be able to employ the services of a registered security agents, but chose to go for cheap labour?”
Oh wow.. she's a very successful business woman and living alone.. just her one gate man/guard.. and most probably her gate man is doing all the house work too.. she should have agreed to pay what he is demanding.. i have read something about having to treat your help, decently good.. so they will love you and be loyal to you.. and not being killed by your help.. but still, killing is so bad.. if he aint happy anymore with his job, he should have quit..
People should learn to protect themselves in the best possible way. Staying in the same compound alone with an uncivilized, uneducated gateman that you know nothing about his history. Story does not add up, how would she not have a steward or a cleaner when she was living in a 300M house. Doesn't make sense.