THE Imo State Police Command has confirmed the death of a 17-year-old girl who was allegedly pushed from a two-storey building along Mbonu Ejike Street, Owerri, by a 26-year-old man, Ifeanyi Chukwu Joseph.
The victim, who sustained severe injuries from the fall on Sunday, November 1, 2026, died on the evening of Tuesday, November 3, 2026, while receiving treatment in the hospital.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, a deputy superintendent of police, had earlier told The ICIR that the victim was in critical condition and required specialist care.
“She is currently in a critical condition, it affected her brain and is something that requires a neurosurgeon,” Okoye had said.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, November 4, Okoye confirmed that following the victim’s death, the suspect now faces a murder charge.
“He remains in police custody as investigations continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that justice is served,” the statement read.
The ICIR reported that the police revealed that Joseph was cohabiting with his girlfriend and the victim, his girlfriend’s niece, in an apartment he rented. The suspect was alone in the building with the teenager after his girlfriend travelled to Lagos.
Joseph claimed an argument ensued after he accused the 17-year-old of bringing men into the house, leading him to flog her before the incident happened. However, Okoye stated that his account was fishy and inconclusive.
The state Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, commiserated with the family of the deceased and assured the public of a thorough, professional investigation to ensure justice is served.
The command also urged members of the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information as legal proceedings against the suspect commence.
Zainab Abdulrasaq ia a reporter and a fact-checker with The ICIR. She believes that accountable citizenship starts with an accountable government, which is why she highlights injustice and everyday struggles through her reporting, one story at a time. She adores reading and can be reached via zabdulrasaq@icirnigeria.org and @blackbookishgirl on Instagram/Medium
Nanji is an investigative journalist with the ICIR. She has years of experience in reporting and broadcasting human angle stories, gender inequalities, minority stories, and human rights issues. She has documented sexual war crimes in armed conflict, sex for grades in Nigerian Universities, harmful traditional practices and human trafficking.