In a distressing account of abuse, betrayal, and abandonment, a woman identified as Uduak Joseph Nya, a resident of Ikot Ansa, Calabar Municipality, has come forward with harrowing details of the sustained physical and emotional abuse she suffered in the hands of her estranged husband, George Ekpenyong. The survivor walked into the EpistleNews office on 16 June 2025 to share her story and seek justice.

According to Mrs. Nya, her nine-year marriage has been riddled with repeated episodes of domestic violence, emotional blackmail, and gender-based abuse. She recounts how each time she asked Mr. Ekpenyong to fulfil his duties as a father and husband, she was met with aggression and brutal beatings.

“I endured it for peace to reign. I started taking up responsibilities just so my children would not suffer,” she said. “But it became too much. He made me pay school fees freely, and when I refused to take on the rent, he threw me and our two children out of the house.”

Mrs. Nya, who has since moved into her own apartment after a brief stay with her mother, alleges that Mr. Ekpenyong has entirely abdicated his parental responsibilities. She stated that he has not contributed to the children’s education, and when they attempt to contact him, he picks up only to insult and then hang up on them.

In a shocking twist, the survivor revealed that her husband fraudulently obtained a loan of ₦550,000.00 from a commercial bank by using her personal documents, passport and forged her signature without her consent.

“He forged my signature and secured the loan. When I refused to accept the debt, he beat me up. Eventually, the bank officials came and seized everything in my shop. I had to pay back the money, despite being completely uninvolved.”

Mrs. Nya disclosed that she had reported the matter to several agencies including the State CID, Federal Housing Police, FIDA, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and Citizen Prati. However, Mr. Ekpenyong has continuously evaded justice, ignoring multiple invitations from these bodies.

Her documented list of demands includes:

1. A formal divorce to end the toxic marriage;

2. An end to the public humiliation and assault she continues to endure;

3. Full parental responsibility from Mr. Ekpenyong for their children who currently reside with her;

4. Reimbursement of medical bills accrued from years of assault-related treatments.

“I have proof of everything I’ve said, including phone call records and hospital reports,” she added firmly, her voice laced with a mix of resilience and exhaustion.

As cases of gender-based violence continue to rise across the nation, Uduak Joseph Nya’s plea highlights the urgent need for more robust enforcement of protective laws and accountability for perpetrators, regardless of their social connections or influence.

EpistleNews tried reaching out to Mr. George on phone but he couldn’t picked his calls. We will continue to follow this case as new developments emerge. Authorities are urged to act swiftly in ensuring justice is served.