Nigerian Man Murders Wife in America

Posted by: Misi on July 28, 2008 Under: Africa, Community Report, Life & Culture, Nigeria, USA

On Thursday, July 24, 2008, a 50-year old Nigerian man Michael Collins Iheme shot and killed his 28-year old estranged wife, Anthonia Iheme, in her work parking lot. Witnesses say Michael fired several shots into her car then ran into another car and drove away. Shortly after the crime, he called 911 and told the operator that “Yes, I have killed the woman that messed my life up. A woman that had destroyed me. I am at Shalom West, …my name is Michael.” The police arrested him about 100 meters from the shooting where he stated, “I called the police….I shot her…I shot her.”

Excerpts of the story:

Anthonia had a current Harrassment Restraining Order against Michael due to his long history of abuse and threats to kill her.

Michael Collins Iheme was arrested in the parking lot after the Thursday shooting at the Sholom Home West. Officers found his wife, Anthonia Eberechi Iheme, in a vehicle in the parking lot around 3 p.m. Her vehicle crashed into a parked vehicle and a fence during the incident.

According to the criminal complaint, several people witnessed the shooting.

The criminal complaint said that Anthonia Iheme had a current restraining order against her husband. ‘‘The supporting affidavit suggests a long history of domestic abuse including threats to kill the victim,’’ the complaint said.

The Brooklyn Park Police also reported a number of police calls to the victim’s address over domestic assaults made by Michael Iheme against the victim, the complaint said.

Iheme is being held in the Hennepin County Adult Detention Center and could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.

The question that came to mind when I read this story is “what went wrong with this man?”

Correct me if I am wrong, crime of passion is definitely not common amongst Nigerians. You might argue that anyone can kill, yes, I know that but it just seems culturally rare for Nigerians or an African to commit murder. Not to be “culturalistic” but are we becoming too Westernized - by copying habits/cultures that are not ours? Or could it be the environment that pushed him over the edge?

Whatever it is doesn’t justify murder, all the same what do you think about this case?

These posts may have related contents:

87 comment(s)

Seleipiri | Jul 28, 2008 | Reply

This is very disturbing, not to say the least. Like your rightly stated, there is no justifying the mans action. I think he is sick, i cant get my mind around the fact that he would have planned such a disastrous act and actually carried it out. What pushed him to the point…..Guess if we know more about him,other than the police report, we might gain more insight into his troubled soul. Its pathetic and i feel for her little kids, but if they have the death penalty in MN, i think he should be sent to the gallows(yea maybe i already passed judgement,but who would’nt).
Akpowaidor Asekome Akpeti | Jul 28, 2008 | Reply

Passion related crimes are very grave. i admit that such dastardly acts are not very common amongst Africans , and in particular Nigerians. i have heard of stories , where the agrieved lover bathes the other with acid !!! .At least the perpetuator of the act has the fear of murder to grapple with !!!.

The environment i believe was the causative factor of this heinous deed. Often times stories as these hit the air waves and are mostly localized to the north american continent, teenagers shoot their classmates, workers butcher their colegues the list goes on and on.

Those we interact with on a daily basis and the general perception impacts on us so much .i am pretty sure that Osita has spent so much time in America that he may have imbibed the mentality of a minority class in America.
I use “mentality” because the word “culture” may be viewed from a broader perspective that may connote an attribute that is present in all Americans. . I think a very small minority of Americans take solace in that negative kind of expression whenever they have issues concerning their lovelife.

The average Nigerian values his life very much!! despite the fact that he may have to struggle with the rigours of making a decent living , he is hopefull that there would be a turn around .He is often times preoccupied with making a success out of his endeavours . That could be the reason why many Nigerin women say the Nigerian man is not romantic!!!. He does not get up to the point where his life stops due to heart break!! or to extent that he attempts to exterminate the object of his disaffection.Not forgetting
the Nigerian culture that does not discourage polyganmy in all entirety, thereby giving the Nigerian man more room to increase his harem .Thank God for christianity.Well , enough of all that polyganmous banter.

On a final note ,it may be neccesary that women and men in relationships or those getting married especially in USA to American men or women , should request psychological evaluation of their spouses. To ascertain levels of sanity and ability to cope when emotional vagaries start calling.
Oz | Jul 28, 2008 | Reply

Na wa o
Concerned | Jul 28, 2008 | Reply

This incidence points at the issue of culture, control and power. Simple! I am very sure that this woman got tired of being humiliated, threatened and abused in her home and decided to call it quits. The Nigerian man being typical Naija was probably thinking to himself -”how dare she call it quits, I am the one that calls it quits in this house hold, my manhood is being threatened” and decided to take matters into his own hands.

The fact that this person is Nigerian does not take away from the fact that women from different regions of Nigeria and Africa are being abused, humiliated and live in fear everyday.
Concerned | Jul 28, 2008 | Reply

within the continent as well as outside the continent.
Concerned | Jul 28, 2008 | Reply

What is a 50 years old man looking for with a 28 years old woman? You see, longer throat causes problems in the long run.
Adaeze | Jul 28, 2008 | Reply

I can almost bet that he brought this lady from Nigeria. Judging from his age and her age and his monkey like features that was very likely the case. And like many Nigerian men who go home and lie and flash around money to poor unsuspecting young girls, this fool must have promised her heaven and earth only to bring her to hell.
Poor thing. I hear they have two young children. May God bless her soul and may this 50 year old idiot be bent over everyday by his 300 pound cellmate for the rest of his life.
flakky | Jul 28, 2008 | Reply

Thing like this happens a lot among nigerian men that goes to nigeria to marry an “innocent & young lady”, brings them here and try to control their life. They feels that they own them simply because they brought them to USA. They controls their every move, what they can wear, who they can talk to, and basically everything about them. I don’t blame this ladies any way, if not for the poverty that’s in nigeria and everyone is looking for a way to come to USA, even if it means marrying their “granpap”or through “arrange marriage”. It won’t be suprising to me if this lady was brought here by this “mad man” from Nigeria. I don’t think that he’s “mentally sick”, he was in his right mind when he called 911 and by what he told the operator, this man had everything planned out. Maybe, he couldn’t faced the fact that this lady left him for a better life. Whatever the situation, the lady didn’t deserved to die and I wish this “mad man” get the maximum sentence for his crime. For all the nigerian men going home to marry, treat this woman like you will want someone to treat your sister or child, and remember that it will take sometime for them to adjust because I don’t know how a 28 yrs old woman end up with a 50 yrs old man in USA,if not an “arrange marriage” it might be for “green card”.
kay | Jul 28, 2008 | Reply

what a surprise, does this surprise anyone, everyday nigerian men in their late 40’s and 50’s go home to nigeria and marry young unsuspecting girls, the lure for america and a better life makes it possible for this girls to marry men old enough to be there fathers. these men think of them as properties not partners. so they cannot afford to let go. when a woman says enough is enough,then the man says its over his dead body, for any nigerian reading this you know what that means. several times a day, in so many homes in this country women get abused, several nigerian woman go through hell, the dont know the laws which is what these men count on when they marry them, the fact there she tha guts to call 911 a few times and then went as far as a restraining order cannot be tolerated, how dear her. it is a horror story what a lot of the nigerian women go through and it is more horrifying now to know that most of them are terrified tomdo nothing about it. kuddos to anthonia who did something even though it cost her her life. may she restinpe
pammy | Jul 28, 2008 | Reply

thank you jare!! You guys have said it all.
Joy | Jul 28, 2008 | Reply

Just like Adaeze stated judging by the difference in age of the victim vs. the killer you can almost develope a profile of this idiot - 50 year old loser. The most he had ever done in his life is probably save up enough money to go home to Nigeria and marry her (he problably did not go home either but sent money to his relatives to marry her. Taking the trip would be too expensive. His sorry ass couldn’t afford it) He then sponsored her here and for that one “single act of kindness” she owes him her life. From what we read he stayed home and babysat the kids while she worked and supported him on her miserable nursing Assistant’s income. The most she made was probably $15/hr (if that). I can almost guarantee that the mantra in that house (which he probably sang if she as much as expressed an opinion which differed from his) would be “I don’t blame you” - If I didn’t bring you here to this country you would not have mouth to talk”. Then just as she began to go out meet people and earn a living her self-worth began to rise while his continued to sink. She will challenge him on issues and he would attempt to use brute force to subdue her. (you see that is the only “style” of husbandry he knows) Under this situation he saw himself as the victim and became fixated on her as he saw her as the single source for all his problems (whether real or imagined) Ladies I am speaking to you all now I don’t care what your circumstance is or how much money you earn or if it doesn’t make economic sense for you husband’s to work outside the home. But please insist that he do so (unless he owns his own biz) and earns income from such biz. It is in the interest of both his self-worth as well as yours. Even if he is a dish washer or a security guard please please please insist. This is my opinion and I believe it does something to a man’s self-esteem if he is being supported solely by his wife. Most (or some) people might not believe this but I believe it is very psychologically debilitating for a man (esp African men) to stay home and babsit while the wife works. But of course since the advent of the so-called “Nursing/related programs” boom it has become the norm for some of “our” men to accept the role of home-maker feeling comfortable with the idea of a wife paying 100% of his up-keep and feeling no shame at all. My take and advice for the men who are so inclined - if it is good enough for you to enjoy the proceeds from a “Nursing job/related programs you can equally be that nurse/CNA/HHA, etc yourself. So get off your big fat good for nothing male butt, enroll in that programme and do the job yourself. If you are unable go look for something else. Even migrant workers from accross the borders manage to find work - you can do the same.

(very very angry Nigerian woman who is grieving over this senseless killing and for 2 innocent children who will soon became part of some US statistics)
miata | Jul 28, 2008 | Reply

To some of those African men who think striking a woman is no biggy. that was this 51yr old psyco always did. to those good for nothing women who Anthonia and many other women confided in with the constant abuse but instead turned around the corner and gossiped about her/them you terribly failed her and her children who are waiting for mommy every 3:3pm Most immigrants men and women look the other side when a woman is abused but instead, pass bitter judgements if a man is arrested for abusing the woman. ” why is she bringing trouble to her husband! she no good!” I bet that is what Anthonia went through criticised from both men and women, men instructing their wives or girlfriends not to talk to her, fearing their wives will be influenced by this bad lady who has filed a restraning order from her husband. I wonder whether those people are grieving Anthonia’s death. she did all she could but she has paid a fetal price for many “there is no such a thing as empty death threats or an African can’t kill or its our culture for a man to straighten his wife with a fist or slaps” Shame on those women who tell these men that it is okay to beaat another grown human being.
Misi | Jul 28, 2008 | Reply

I strongly agree that domestic abuse suffered by African women has sadly gone unchecked and in most cases victims who manage to escape the abuse is ostracized by friends and families like she caused the abuse. I still maintain that even though these men abuse their wives (not saying that’s ok), it is very rare to hear of them taking it to the next level of actually murdering them that just seems non-African. It is something that is more common in America. And that is what makes this case more baffling to me.
dave | Jul 28, 2008 | Reply

I was shocked when I learned about this incident. While Anthonia had to pay the ultimate price, I don’t think this is in any way an isolated case. I recall chatting with a lady in one of the DMV offices in Minnesota a while back, who had been practically enslaved by her husband: her movements were timed and friendships regulated by her paranoid husband, who, you guessed right, had brought her in from Nigeria. She wasn’t even allowed to work; she was just a baby making machine! Fear written all over her, as she talked with me that Saturday morning. One has equally had of some other overtly abusive liaisons.
Something needs to be done about this abusive relationships before we have another casualty on our hands.
May Anthonia rest in Peace
Pamela Stitch | Jul 29, 2008 | Reply

Now, that my head is calmer, decided to look at the piece again…the guy said, ” the woman that had destroyed me”. Now, what did he mean by that??? There must be more to the story.

Could it be that her allegations of abuse might have been false and these allegations led to his loss of status within the community, loss of money, loss of his job or ability to perform his job??

There is no reason to kill a person, I agree but the words he uses, brings in a grey area to the whole drama.
TITY | Jul 29, 2008 | Reply

THAT MAN IS AN IDOIT WHATEVER HAS BEEN THE CASE HE SHOULD HAVE LEAVE THE WOMAN AND FINDS ANOTHER INSTEAD OF KILLING HER. WHAT DID HE PROFIT?
Akpowaidor Asekome Akpeti | Jul 29, 2008 | Reply

i beg to say that the propensity to kill by an agrieved Nigerian lover is arguably non existent, when compared to that of some Americans! . i hear of battering, bathing(acid) and maybe maiming by Nigerian men . With a few cases showing similar disposition by women.Atleast we have to agree that such issues are not gender sensitive it could have been the other way round.
Making wild assumptions on the cause of Ositas action may be inapproprate, until proper and detailed investigations have been conducted. Irespective of the results .The muder of his wife cannot be excused .
Ebere | Jul 29, 2008 | Reply

@Pamela you seen to be building a case for Michael already. Do I need to remind you that he planned what he was going to do and say before he actually did it. Didn’t you also know that he went to his kids day care and added more emergency contact and according to him “something might happen today”. What a coward and vicious man he is.
The only offence his wife committed was leaving him and that is what he meant by a woman that has destroyed me. Michael as a typical igbo man that he was felt that his ego was bruised when she moved out of their home. He was very abusive to her and even refused to change his ways after people told him to treat his wife like a human being and not a “table”. This crime was only about pride and control, which is why some of his stupid friends are saying that this will teach the ones alive a lesson because when you bring them to America they will be doing “shakara”. I think the moment nigerians realize that America is not HEAVEN then they will stop killing their wives. Just the single thought of, I brought you to America and you have no right to leave me caused this senseless murder. May Anthonia soul rest in peace and May the Good lord protect her children. Amen.
9ja4life | Jul 29, 2008 | Reply

A similar incident happened in the DC area few years ago . ALso an iboman. Nothing agaisnt ibos , but I think the fact that marriage is often a huge financial investment in iboland makes it more difficult for the men to accept when the woman decide to end the marriage. It is sad that men go to 9ja to bring women that are young enough to be their children to marry . The women get here and their “eyes open” and they completely change and become americanised , the men panic and try harder to keep the women in check by beating the living daylights out of them , and sadly ends tragically. The men need to learn there are very many decent nigerian women available for marriage in USA . They need to learn from other peoples mistakes.
miata | Jul 29, 2008 | Reply

Pamela honey there is nothing much to this man’s statement. all he was saying was that the woman is trying to run away from me and i brought her here in the USA, she is my ATM, my punching wall, believe me this man could have married an American or dated one in his earlier life but his hand were tied and he obeyed the law. but as soon as he got this african woman he can do as he wants and the woman must not tell anybody more especially a court system. please educate other abusive men you met out there. this fool’s 51 year old puffy face will be burned in hell and he will test hell in jail.
Kemi | Jul 29, 2008 | Reply

Yes, he brought her from Nigeria. I don’t support what the man did, but I have heard the full jist from people who know the couple. She is somewhat to blame for what happened. She really pushed him to the extreme. Imagine taking care of a child and you finally find out the chilc is not yours. She sued hom for her selfish gains. He is also at fault for marrying someone half his age. She was having affairs and I think he finally snapped. I still do not support his actions, but women sometimes push men to the extreme and then they commit murder.
Omotaylor | Jul 29, 2008 | Reply

Dont have much to add as all I could have said have already been mentioned above. One thing though, this is the sort of case that makes me support the “an eye for an eye” philosophy. Unfortunately there would be some lawyers out there who would be taking up this man’s case and before we know it pleading insanity on his behalf. That said, I pray that he gets the capital punishment for his crime. Laslty I wonder if anyone in the woman’s family did a thorough family history check on the man before she married him, or were they blinded by American dollars being flashed and doshed out? What a pity. Let us all learn from this.
piedaterre | Jul 29, 2008 | Reply

Monkey-like features ? This is God’s creation ! tragic ? yes ! Grave ? yes !!! but remember ‘cept for the grace of God there goes I. May God never allow us to face that which is greater than we are…….and remember as someone points out, we don’t know ALL the details. My condolences to the families ……
mezie | Jul 29, 2008 | Reply

Hi Kemi,

I have read your comment and must congratulate you for doing background check b4 putting in your comment, I know the family of the victim very well fro Imo State in Nigeria. The man must have been messed up by the lady though that does not justify his action, but b4 a man could get himself to take such an action, he must have gone through hell with the lady. but as the story unfolds, we will be better informed to make an informed conclusions.
ayo | Jul 29, 2008 | Reply

l believe something is wrong somewhere
only God can jugde.very sadden
Pammy | Jul 29, 2008 | Reply

Being Igbo or not is not relevant to the issue at hand. After all, we hear issues of violence all over Nigeria and Africa or are we saying that it is only Igbo people that perpetuate these acts? What of the acid pouring incidences that happen at a constant rate in Lagos (at least before I left the country), were they all perpetuated by Igbos? Or are we saying violence in the home doesn’t occur in different tribal homes all over Nigeria? Biko, let’s not put nonsense into the issue at hand.

This man performed a violent act. We do not know the background information behind the act that he performed all we know are that a) a woman got killed b) a woman claimed that she was being abused (might be fact or fictional) c) a man made a very strange statement when he called the police.
Does this man deserve punishment? Yes, because a life was lost. But, I hope that they investigate all the circumstances surrounding the incident before pronouncing a judgment.

I will repeat again, I am not condoning what he did. What he did was perfectly horrible. I hope that this whole incidence will act as a deterrent to men who think that they are demi gods.
Misi | Jul 29, 2008 | Reply

I really do not think there is anything to investigate in this case, the man has admitted to killing her to the police, there were witnesses present – what more evidence is needed? Personally this is a slam dunk case of first degree murder. Un/fortunately his motive for killing his wife is totally irrelevant since that will not justify a killing and it did not happen immediately is it is not provocation – meaning if he was angry that one of his child is not his, he should have acted the moment he found out. Notwithstanding provocation wouldn’t exonerate him and at max all it would do is reduce his sentence to second degree murder. He could argue insanity but that is not a get out of jail-free card since if that argument succeeds he will be held in a mental institution for the rest of his life. Anyway I believe proving insanity in this case will be very hard because evidence show the man didn’t lack the ability to know the wrongness of his actions or understand the nature or quality of his actions. There are facts showing that this was first degree premeditated murder; 1. he specifically drove to his children’s daycare to give them additional emergency number telling them that “something was going to happen today” – this shows knowledge; then 2. he drove to the parking lot of the place where his wife works and waited till she closed - intent; 3. finally he shot at her not once but a number of times. To the extent that when the victims car was moving “Iheme followed the car down the hill and fired more shots, the witnesses said” – the act.
@ Pamela about the abuse issue whether the allegations of abuse are true or not the man ended up killing her. However there are reports confirming that while the couple lived together, the police was called to their resident several times on grounds of domestic abuse. If he really feels she has destroyed his life like he said why didn’t he just leave her and find his own square root. This is America it is not hard to get yourself together if you really want to – so all that excuse that she probably destroyed him does not justify murder or abuse.
Also the fact he is an Ibo man doesn’t change his guilt level because it could have been from anywhere.
Pammy | Jul 29, 2008 | Reply

Actually Misi, a commentator on this piece brought up his ethnicity as a basis for his behavior and I had to make it clear that his ethnicity has absolutely nothing to do with his behavior.

Also, another person here commented that they had background information, and added extras that were not in the original piece. Information that some might say led to his behavior.

Abuse: though not a subject to be taken lightly is a weapon that have been used by many African women in the Diasporas. I am not saying that a lot of women don’t get abused because many do but we can’t pretend that other situations do not occur as well.

It is sad that a life was lost as a result of this. May her soul rest in perfect peace.
Noula | Jul 29, 2008 | Reply

To Kemi who says the woman is at fault…. sad that you have bought into this excuse that we’ve heard over and over again with these murderers… “the wife is having an affair”. can’t u see that there’s a trend here? The lazy butthead of a man sits at home while the wife (brought from home) works and takes care of the entire family. As they say, an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. what do u expect from a man that does nothing but sit at home everyday… at some point his imagination starts going wild and he becomes obsessed with the idea that his wife who spends a lot of time out (working two jobs to support his fat a**, is having affairs.

Please don’t be naive… as a matter of fact, i actually have heard from people that know the couple too. everyone says the man was a lunatic. lazy and shameless.

May this precious lady’s soul rest in peace, and may God give her family the strength to carry on. what a tragic story.
Noula | Jul 29, 2008 | Reply

@ mezie, pls read my comment to kemi. also, have u heard of the word “DIVORCE”? that’s always an option, u know… since u insist that the woman dealt with this man so much that he had to take her life in cold blood. please, give me a break!
Blossom | Jul 30, 2008 | Reply

Typical Nigerian man
Misi | Jul 30, 2008 | Reply

@Blossom, I totally disagree with that assertion. Not all Nigerian men are like that and certainly very rarely do they end up killing their spouses in cold blood.
Adaeze | Jul 30, 2008 | Reply

Well said Noula. Because this poor lady spent her time slaving outside of the home to support his lazy behind, he got it twisted in his mind that she was having an affair.
An insecure man is dangerous.

It is a lesson for all of us women. Leave him if he hits you ONCE. Don’t let it happen again because we have seen time and time again what can happen.
Bukky | Jul 30, 2008 | Reply

This is unheard-of.No matter what happens, let us always remember our root and culture.Whatever the case may be, the SINNER shall never go unpunished regardless whatever transpired between them.It should serve as a lessen for other “ADE EKO DERE” men & women(WANNABE WESTERNERS).Adieu Athonia!
Chike | Jul 30, 2008 | Reply

What a painful set of events. This poor lady lost her life in the hands of the one that fathered her kids. A wise man many years older. Well, he can now settle down and keep this beautiful earth to himself alone. I do not wish to judge but the steps he took and the final act is one that God may not forgive. No one can be better parents for the poor kids than the two they have jost lost. What a pity.
atae | Jul 31, 2008 | Reply

@kemi
what if the woman has kids with other men so what! that ehr own sins to deal with but that nasty fool did not have any right to kill. what beautiful 28yr old will be abused for 4 years and have any feelings for that monister? get over this madman’s case he had prenty time to rectify himself, he bought a gun weeks before this, this was well planned. do you think if this man marrien a 50yr old woman and found her doing shakara he could have done a thing? no he could have walked. the beauty 28 yr old’s life was worthyless. plaese.
titie | Jul 31, 2008 | Reply

@misi
your points are very very clear
mezie, kemi and pam, please get some education about domestic violence which progresses to murder. will you pass the same naive remarks if Anthonia was your mother, sister or even yourself. If she was left a live to tell us her part of the story, it could have been easy. I think micheal fixed the life anthonia messed up by killing her. he must be a happy man right now in jail.I think for this one case MN law should lethal enject him, or let him get hanged.
Pamela Stitch | Jul 31, 2008 | Reply

tittie: abegi, do not pass off my remarks as being naive or what have you. The fact is that no one here knows what transpired between both people. All we have is he say, she say. No story is black and white…Never. Oh, and please, I do know more than enough about domestic violence and what I said is quite true. There are women who claim domestic violence who aren’t being violated at home. Often times, society looks at domestic violence from the female’s point of view without looking at male’s who might have been violated. I am not saying that is the case here but that does happen as well.

But, I am sorry that a life got lost as a result of lack of control. I believe that he probably might end up paying for his crime with his life or many years in prison.
martins oluremi | Aug 1, 2008 | Reply

what do i have to add here ,u guys have analized the all thing but,i have to say from history we dont kill our women “that na western madness”,sorry the poor lady had to die like that in the hand of one stupid brother that has lost his senses ,he should have done this in nigeria,he wont get to a court or police station,boys on the street would set fire on him alive which if u ask me ,he surely deserves it,”wetin na by force ,if go no go,leave the lady now and move on”.
Misi | Aug 1, 2008 | Reply

@Martins, my question is a little off the issue - anyway do you agree with the jungle justice in Nigeria of lynching criminals rather letting them face justice?
Toun C | Aug 1, 2008 | Reply

Hu u u u un—– watch it guys, remember, God is the ultimate Judge; let’s leave the judgment for Him to do. You know it’s always easier to pass on comments and condemn each other simply because of human nature and we think we know it all, but only God has the supreme knowledge of what actually transpired between this couple. All in all, let’s continue to remember them in our prayers and that God would have mercy upon all the parties involved and we the critics.
martins oluremi | Aug 1, 2008 | Reply

@misi ,jungle justice is wrong and lynching sound like one of them slave trade words i hate it,but what i meant as reguards this mr iheme is ,he wont have deared this back home,and to tony c we cant judge cos God knows what really transpaired but we are human created in his image so,why result to killing?eh?I personnally had problem with my former lady u know what i did when i cant take it any more?”na one shirt and trouser i take commot for the house”i prefare that than fighting while to ladies ,some of our sisters has also got the western madness too where they believe they have the right to slap insult and do whatever ,i mean some not all.Those of u doing this watch it.@misi i hope i asnwered ur question “ojere”
Misi | Aug 1, 2008 | Reply

@Martin I totally agree with you about the way some women act when they get to the western world. Once they learn they have the right to call the police whenever they are being abused some tend to abuse that privilege. What they fail to realize is that calling the police is a two-way thing. Just as a woman can call for abuse, so also can a man. An advice to women who like to slap around their man whenever they are provoked, the mere fact he is not calling the cops on you now, doesn’t mean he wouldn’t exercise that right if pushed to it.
Psycho-butt | Aug 1, 2008 | Reply

Y’all shouldn’t always blame the man…(no b him fault!)..the girl was probably one of those golddiggers walking around the streets of naija looking for any guy that has ABROAD tagged onto his sleeve.
I was in naija last xmas…girls over there are so desperate!! She wanna play smart with his money and divorce him?..How would you feel? Yes. I agree, killing her is extreme but hey!.Lets be realistc. Akata dey kill theselves like fish for water!!
Two wrongs dont make a right!
Uchechi | Aug 2, 2008 | Reply

Hey,pscho-butt.
mind you,goldiggers dont go for lazy broke ass old cargo like him and they dont work to make ends meet.they just go for the money n leave the marriage.may her soul rest in peace,the lady in question,like people that knew her had revealed,was a hardworking mother of two that was frequently abused by her husband several times but she tolerated it before reporting.the man has no justification for killing an innocent young lady.
COLLINS | Aug 2, 2008 | Reply

Age has nothing to do wth this senseless, cold act. It has more to do with someon’s religious upbringing, values ad overall temperament which should be the issues of consideration much earlier in a budding relationship. These days women marry guys much younger, just as men do. In fact such relationships follow the same curve as those involved between High School sweethearts. Radical feminists, who have forgotten their valuable African upbringing, should not jaundice this issue with their narrow mindedness. That indeed may be part of the problem.
Tunde | Aug 2, 2008 | Reply

Let us come together and pray for the two kids that will have no father and mother they are the ones who will suffer i hope the Nigerian community in this state will come together and help out.This happens in every society but it is very hard to see this happen to us we came to this country for a better life but some times things nobody has the answer for this.Those children are in the hands of GOD.
titie | Aug 3, 2008 | Reply

I stay a little far away from the atate and I will make a point of coming down to twin cities for this precious lady,s funeral, please the twin citians support Anthonia,s kids there is a trust fund for anthonia’s 2 kids set up by the care center where Anthonia worked. also somebdy please post here the funeral service day.
Misi | Aug 3, 2008 | Reply

To those who are interested in helping the victim’s children:
A Memorial Fund for Athonia Iheme
The Sholom Community Alliance has set up a memorial fund for Athonia Iheme’s children through Bremer Bank.
Checks should be made payable to: Anthonia Iheme Memorial Fund.
Please mail them to:
Sholom Home West
3620 Phillips Parkway
St. Louis Park, MN 55426
Kpakpando | Aug 3, 2008 | Reply

I’m just going to comment about the last bit about Nigerians/Africans not being prone to committing these “crimes of passion”; I don’t really agree with that. These types of crimes happen even back home though the stories might not be plastered all over our news media like they are here in the US. The back story of domestic violence of this couple is commonplace even accepted back home, so I wouldn’t be surprised if every once in a while the violence escalates to homicide. I think the tendency to kill your spouse, has more to do with psychopathic disorders than country of origin.

We are just as likely as our western counterparts to commit murder, sexually abuse children, commit rape, torture and all sorts of other heinous crimes, being african doesn’t exclude us from criminal behavior.

This is just another sad story of yet another Nigerian in the diaspora murdering his wife and leaving scarred children to deal with the aftermath.
Mike | Aug 3, 2008 | Reply

Most of the commentary on this heinous, unfortunate and unjustifiable murder resonate on the theme of a control-freak-monster husband, Pamela’s is a refreshing and well reasoned detour.
An African proverb says ‘Whoever judges on the strenght of one account, is wicked’. There is definitely much more to this story.
The woman who messed up my life? Has anybody paused to reflect on this? Suppose this 50 year old man married this young woman, brought her to the States and she begins to sleep around? I have witnessed that severally. Maybe ab initio he was just a ticket to escape the poverty of Nigeria and she knew just what she would do. For a man to claim his life has been messed up, we need to know more b4 branding him this and that.
Secondly, according to released reports the man was the one minding the children whilst the departed sister worked, she moved out shortly leaving the children with the man. Anything to that?
I do not justify this crime by any means, whatever the case the man went overboard and should answer for his crime, but his unrepetant, jubilant mood after the crime, indicates he must have been very disconsolate in the relationship.
All I am saying is lets give righteous judgements. Dig deeper.
Bola | Aug 3, 2008 | Reply

This man should have known that marrying a woman half his age is a death sentence. He should have just killed himself for being a fool. He would have died of heart failure anyway
Whatever the young woman could have done could not have justified being killed.
akin | Aug 3, 2008 | Reply

may her soul rest in peace and the bastard get life imprisonment, please tell young nigeria females to stop looking for their free meal ticket in the u.s if you work hard even in Nigeria you will survive only the lazy one’s look for the sugar daddy in america , why did she have to marry her father and then she doesn’t want to de controlled.i bet she said no to the young hard working males in nigeria to get killed in the us
Chi | Aug 4, 2008 | Reply

“Satanic treatmet deserves satanic punishment” It can go for both sides. May God remain the final judge.
Agatha Benson | Aug 4, 2008 | Reply

Not only killing a hardworking lady who devoted her income to take care of the sorry ass man. Killing late Antonio was the way to justify his diabolic act.
How on earth a man will take position of babysitting to avoid supporting his family. That tells you he is a lazy man.
Antonia Iheme, God will be with you. Devil Michael ass will be rotten in jail forever.
Agatha Benson
Akpu nwa | Aug 4, 2008 | Reply

Hold your horses friends! No need crucifying he young man-yet. Wait till the whole story unfolds. The woman could be the devil incarnate. Nobody knows yet what she did to the man to send him round the bend. The kinda women that are married these days !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jessica Oldakowski | Aug 5, 2008 | Reply

Poor Anthonia was the second wife of this abusive man! His former wife of 8 years lives in Central MN and he has two grown children from that marriage. He never worked a day in his life while he was married the first time either. He was extremely abusive and tried killing that wife one time along with his children when he almost ran them off the road. Fortunately, the first wife got smart and divorced this lazy, abusive man. He never supported his first family financially. Just stayed home and expected the wife to support him. No different than this time. I’m glad he is behind bars where he belongs!!!!
NWA UZO ULO | Aug 5, 2008 | Reply

This is a disgrace to all Igbos. I am affected badly because of this news. Both Michael and Ebere are from the same LGA and their homes are less than three miles apart in Mbaitoli. May her soul rest in peace.
Not reason on earth should anybody take the life of another.

Nigerian girls coming to America to become wives, I have news for you. If you know that you are going to abandon Igbo marital values please find your own way to America. If you know that you plan to hijack you husband to your parents home town get your own visa. If your pimary focus in life after you arrive in AME is your people do not give your hand in marriage to any man in the USA. Most of these men went through hell in the hands of AKATA to secure their green card and the legal rights to bring you to America and when you too become AKATA NA WAHALA YOU DEY ASK FOR, thats my take.
alob | Aug 6, 2008 | Reply

i know that for every reaction there is always a predetermined plan that systematically becomes an action. it a pity it ended that way. What i really want to know is how they lived before this incidence and it will help so much in assisting the children in care as well as their father.
Moet | Aug 7, 2008 | Reply

This is not the first time a case like this is coming up…Something like this happened in Maryland not too long…Instead the Igbo man stabbed his wife in her home…So it really don’t come as much of a surprise to me…since they want to embrace the American way of life…Wonder what kind of example they are setting for us upcoming generation…
nnaife | Aug 7, 2008 | Reply

Just a lesson to learn from this craziness. Everyone must understand that money is the root of all evils. Gred, selfishness, and deception are taking over people that sense of judegment is inpaired to a serious level of deffiency. Some people are taking marriage to be a commercial commodity where a spouse, particularly, nurses become money mill to fund their ostenticious lifestyle of pompocity and arrogance. This issue of become the cancer in Igbo communities that suggest why the victims of atrocities like these are primarily Igbos. Morality and ethical conduct are no longer criteria for defining ones character rather criminality is the going style of proving manhood. Shame to those men who fail to understand that the days of woman slavery (men shovernism) are over. Women are becoming more and more economic power and acceptin their role with grace is the only solution to these madness of wife-killers. I hope we learn from this or cjoose to spend your life in jail for senseless murders. Young generation, be aware! Cheers
Ebele | Aug 8, 2008 | Reply

The major problem that this actually brings home to me is the fact that the male and female roles of the africans are changing and we are still refusing to accept them. A woman can be the breadwinner in a household with it creating a problem and things will still run smoothly because both are very supportive of each other.

The death of this young woman is terrible and nothing justifies it. No one has the right to take another’s life, there are always options in life as long as we want to excercise them. Being a gold digger is not a crime and marrying a younger woman is also not a crime. They both knew what they were getting into and at the point where it stopped working for them everyone should have called it quits.

There is a lesson for all of us in this that no matter what, it only takes one person to move on and turn your life around. As long as we have life anything is possible. Now who will take care of these two beautiful children, we all need to put them in our prayers.
san | Aug 9, 2008 | Reply

well said. joy
Carl | Aug 10, 2008 | Reply

this is very wrong
Isaac | Aug 11, 2008 | Reply

This is very sad!!!
The heart of man is desperately wicked! Only God truly knows human heart and can cure it of all evil. This event, rather than make us judge in favor or against should make us tremble before God and earnestly pray for total deliverance from sinful human nature “Search me o Lord and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts, see if there be any wicked way in me; cleanse me from all secret faults and lead me in the Way everlasting.
Here is God’s promise to help “Come now, let us reason together says the Lord.Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson they shall be as wool. If you be willing and obedient you shall eat the good of the land”[Isaiah 1:18,19]
It is the blood of Jesus that cleanses from all sin.
HAVE YOU BEEN TO JESUS FOR THE CLEANSING POWER?
ARE YOU WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB?
TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION. REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL
Emmarex | Aug 11, 2008 | Reply

The natural feelings of sympathy jerks us to feel and fight for the deceased in this case. Of course, no deserves to be murdered; at best count your costs and loses and cut the partner lose(as they say in America). It is better to pay child support than be in jail; and if you are going to kill your spouse for whatever reason, plan it, and don’t be a chicken. Be bold to push a bullet through your own ear facing the nozzle towards the sky.
In reality, who am i to judge the domestic situations that culminated in this killing? While I do not condone this act, I can reasonably see why some of our brothers lose that sixth screw. It is definitely a double tragedy when a Nigerian man or woman mortgages his/her life to find a spouse from home, and they cannot plan and live together as one family. May Anthonia’s soul find true peace in God.
mark | Aug 12, 2008 | Reply

WHERE EVER SHE IS ,SHE WILL COUNT HERSELF TO BLAME, MY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE.BUT AS FOR THE MAN YEARS IN JAIL WILL STILL NOT FORGIVE HIM UNTILL HE FORGIVE HIMSELF.
Benz | Aug 12, 2008 | Reply

My brothers and sisters, I am not condoning what this man did, and of course taking another life is a terrible thing to do. I do not know the man or the woman but I feel very sorry for both the dead and the living, in a situation like this, there is no winner and everyone involved has lost, the wife lost her life, the husband lost his life, the children have lost their parents, and the relatives have lost their loved ones.

The whole thing is a tragedy, but stay with me for a moment. This old man, lazy, idiot, whatever name you want to call him saved up $20,000 or whatever to pay dowry in Nigeria, and have a traditional wedding, trying to have the life he remembered growing up, what Nigeria was, wanting a flavor of Nigerian value in his home. He brought his African Queen here without understanding what Nigeria was when he left home and what Nigeria is now are very different. The rate at which Nigerians both men and women are trying to escape Nigeria today is very alarming. They will do anything to escape Nigeria, may be the woman too agreed to the relationship just to get out of Nigeria, she got here she wanted to be as free as she was back home without remembering she is now someone’s wife and no longer a single woman. May be her friends told her that the only way to stay in the country and get protection of the law was to have a child and claim spousal abuse. She did, and the man watched his life of 30 years in America go down the toilet because she is now labeled spousal abuser, lost his job, lost his African queen, lost his children, enslaved to child support system for the next 18 years or so, and no money (non of this excused the tragic action). This is a lot of pressure on a weak soul.

This tragic incident is a lesson to all of us. Let us pray for the souls of all the losers in this situation, which I think everyone affected by this is a loser there is no winner here.

Peace,
Benz
Nkeiru | Aug 14, 2008 | Reply

Very sad, i was married to a psycho just last the beast in question, i had to get out of it, though he claims to be married now, he is constantly monitoring my movement. the sad part, is yes the police is aware of this but if he descides to kill me no one can stop him. Every one please put me in your prayers. I feel for anthonia, May her soul rest in peace, No one deserves to be murderd coldly. Very sad.
viv | Aug 14, 2008 | Reply

This is really sad. I was shocked to have heard a Nigerian commited such a dispeakable crime.First, my concern is that after the victim had filed numerous complaints with the police as far as death threats from her so called husband. I feel the police would have helped matters by protecting her from this animal. I mean, she should have been given some kind of protection whatsoever to ensure that she and even her kids were safe. All the same, its good to know that the animal turned himself in and i hope justice will prevail and hurt this animal for life.May her soul rest in peace.
johnson | Aug 15, 2008 | Reply

@inkeiru. I’ll pray for ya’ 2-night, leave the state honey because them psychos will snap if things go south on them believe me, do anything to protect you, no one understands the beast better than the woman who has tested and swallowed bitter pills from the man they live with.@ Benz I presume you are an African, properbly attained your papers through lying on them American ladies who thought the marriage was genuine.went to your contry and got your self a money making machine african woman who you treat like nothing, maybe she is trying to leave you that is why you make the above comments.20,000 for a life! excuse me that is a low deal
mbivu | Aug 15, 2008 | Reply

African pastors are the fakest people available. they stand in front of the congregation and preach non-sense, maybe most of them are terrible abusers and corrupt, involved with morgage mess some of them have more that 5 houses how did they get them? corrupt. Days following this murder I witnessed a man of God saying “African woman will call the (police)if a man pushes her slightly, thats American thing ,stop imitating oyibo remember we are africans” Those are the evils who energized the micheal type, please stop guess work and councel families on crisis and for your info. mr pastor this is not Africa it is America. Unlike Africa where a battered woman cries and neighbors and family come for her rescure here police will show up to see why mama is crying outside whe

Search

View Posts by Topic

View Posts by Region

Meet Some of Our Authors

Nigerian Man Murders Wife in America

These posts may have related contents:

Subscribe:

Search

View Posts by Topic

View Posts by Region

Meet Some of Our Authors

Nigerian Man Murders Wife in America

These posts may have related contents: