We love you but God loves you more, these were the words of family and friends who gathered at Atan Cemetery, Lagos, on Wednesday to commit to mother earth, the remains of Titilayo Arowolo (nee Oyakhire), an employee of Skye Bank, who was allegedly killed by her husband, Akolade, on June 24, 2011.The funeral, which began at the Foursquare Church, Alagomeji, was well attended by the family of the deceased, colleagues from the bank as well as sympathisers from far and near.Though an emotional event, the family was happy that five months after her murder, they could finally give her a resting place.PUNCH METROlearnt that Titilayo (Omozoje), was born on April 9, 1982, in Lagos to the family of Mr. George Oyakhire and late Mrs. Helen Oyakhire. At the age of nine, she lost her mother who died during childbirth.She attended Lydia Secondary School, Edo State, and then Maria Goretti Secondary School and was later admitted to the Ambrosse Alli University, Edo State.Late Titilayo enrolled at the Lagos State University, Anthony Campus, for her Masters degree programme. It was at LASU that she met Akolade and they got married on October 4, 2008.She gave birth to a daughter and only child, Olamide, on February 10, 2009.The funeral service, which was officiated by Rev. Sylvester Aigborin and Pastor Ayo Binitie, lasted for about two hours.Binitie noted that Titilayos murder was very sad and peculiar because he was the one who also conducted the funeral service of the slain bankers mother about 20 years ago.He said, I am very sad because Titilayo was a daughter to me. She was very jovial and loving. The sad thing is that about 20 years ago, when her mother died, I was the one who officiated at her funeral.Now, I am officiating in Titilayos funeral also. I pray that affliction will never strike this family again.Binitie also berated the police for doing a shoddy job and for their clumsiness in investigating the bankers gruesome death.The preacher thanked the press, and later singled out THE PUNCH for consistently exposing the crime and other social ills. He also commended Project Alert, a group, which had piggybacked on Titilayos murder to champion an anti-domestic violence campaign.At the graveside, tears poured from the eyes of those present as the three-year-old daughter of the deceased, who bears a striking resemblance to her mother (Titilayo), poured sand on the slain bankers coffin to pay her last respect.Similarly, siblings of the deceased, Aidehi, Idokua, Daniel, Emohita, Emi, Folake and Agbons Okhawre, a cousin, took their turns to pay Titilayo their last respect and later laid wreaths on her coffin.The murder of Titilayo alleged to have been perpetrated by her husband, Akolade, has continued to draw furore not only from members of the public but from the government as well.Akolade, who is facing a charge in court for murder, was said to have been violently abusing the deceased before the tragic incident occurred.The accused person had earlier told the police during investigation that Titilayo actually stabbed herself to death. But the autopsy report indicated that it was impossible for Titilayo to have killed herself going by the level of injuries found on her body at the crime scene.Besides, investigation had established that Akolade was the last person who saw the deceased.Addressing newsmen at the graveside, a younger sister of the deceased said the family was pained not only because of Titilayos death but because Akolade was feigning innocence.She said, Omozoje (Titilayo) was my sister and I loved her so much. Her husband killed her and subjected us all to this pain.It is even more painful that he is claiming to be innocent. I pray the law takes it course and justice prevails.The Director of Project Alert, Dr. Josephine Chukwuma, seized the opportunity to urge victims of domestic violence to speak out and seek help before it is too late.She said, Titilayos case is very painful because she suffered domestic abuse silently. My advice to all those suffering silently is to speak out before its too late. Seek help; report the case to any human rights organisation that can assist you.Also, I call on all religious bodies to join in the fight against domestic violence so that we can tackle this issue more effectively.Meanwhile, the Oyakhire familys spokesman and lawyer, Mr. Nelson Ekoh, has scheduled a press briefing on the murder case.He said, Due to certain matters arising, it is necessary that we have a meeting with members of the press at Project Alert office.You may recall that the police and prison officials almost assaulted newsmen who came to the Yaba Chief Magistrates Court at the last hearing. This needs to be addressed.In another development, our correspondent gathered from a reliable source that the Nigeria Prisons Service officials had taken Akolade for a psychiatric test to determine his level of sanity.However, when our correspondent called the spokesman for the service, Mr. Chuks Njoku, for confirmation, he said he was out of town and would find out when he got back.Akolade is due to appear in court on December 12, 2011, at an Ikeja High Court following the advice of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions that he should be charged before a competent court.
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