Tears rolled down the cheeks of sympathizers and relations in deluge at Umukaje, Eziama Osuama Community in Isiala Mbano LGA, Imo State on Thursday when the mortal remains of Late Ms Comfort Chinyere Njoku was interred at her father’s compound.
But what many were unaware of was that the Late Ms Njoku who died at the age of 44, was the lover of the speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chiji Collins, who footed the bills for her interment.
National Newsbreak learnt that the love tango which dated to early 90s between the duo produced a son, one Onyema, who is now 24 years old.
Onyema, who bears Chiji as his surname was born in 1995.
A family source confided in National Newsbreak that the speaker rebuffed all entreaties to perform the traditional marriage rites upon her demise so he could be allowed to bury her in his own compound.
It was further gathered that the speaker rather chose to pick the funeral bills, saying that since he did not wed her while alive, it would be a taboo to do so at her demise.
Those who expected the speaker to attend the funeral ceremony accompanied by retinue of aides and colleagues were disappointed as he came alone with his driver in his official vehicle and few security men in his back-up vehicle.
It was further learnt that the speaker paid his last respect to the deceased at her graveside by requesting that her casket be opened for him to see her corpse for the last time but refused to speak at the funeral.
He left the burial scene as quietly as he arrived.
The speaker in an advertorial published in the 7th November, 2019 edition of Trumpeta had commiserated with the Njoku family over the death of its daughter.
He prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss and her soul a perfect repose.
Late Ms Njoku is reported to have died of health-related condition.
When contacted, an insider confirmed that the relationship between the speaker and Ms. Njoku produced a child out of wedlock.
The source further disclosed that the speaker has been responsible for the training of the child up to university.
NATIONAL NEWSBREAK
