Anambra Govt seals Cosmila Hotel Awka over murder of female clubber

NIGERIA — Anambra State Government has sealed Cosmila Hotel and Suites Awka, over the death of a young club goer, late Miss Chinyere Awuda of Nnobi, Idemili South Local Area of Anambra state.

Speaking during the closure of the hotel, the Anambra state Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Entertainment, Comrade Don Onyenji who regretted the sad incident noted that the facility will remain closed, pending when investigation has ended by the police.

The Commissioner made it clear that Cosmila Hotel is not registered with the Anambra state government under his ministry and threatened that government may start acquiring hospitality firms where heinous crimes are being perpetrated in the state.

He maintained that Governor Chukwuma Soludo is working tirelessly to make the state a tourism hub, as well as liveable and prosperously Anambra, and as such, will not allow any act of impunity or recklessness by anybody.

For the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Awka Capita Development Authority (ACTDA), Mr. Ossy, the ugly and avoidable incident is regrettable and advised hospitality owners in the state to always register with the Ministry of Tourism to ensure that they work in conformity with the laws establishing them.

Mr. Onuko said that the Soludo administration has no room for impunity and warned that anybody, association, groups or facilities found wanting under any circumstance in the state would be severelly dealt with.

The Manager of the Hotel, Mr. Stanley Akunaezivi who admitted that the incident happened in their hotel, said that the alleged suspect had been in the police custody since the accident happened

Recently, news emerged on the social media where one Chinyere Awuda was alleged to have been beaten to death inside the hotel Night club.

Lady was allegedly beaten to death for allegedly stealing bundles of cash being sprayed on a birthday celebrant.

Her body was found in the swimming pool of the hotel on Sunday morning, July 16, 2023, where she was dumped after being lynched by a popular clubber, and his friends.

One of the clubbers accused her of picking money which the fun seekers were spraying on their friend who was a birthday celebrant.

“Some others said she did not only pick money but went for bundles of money, which a clubber stacked by his seat side, waiting to spray on the celebrant,” a source said.

A regular clubber at Cosmila Hotel told reporters that: “Some of these girls just dress up and come to the club and begin to pick money. While you’re spraying your friends, these girls will just be picking and pocketing them. Because men are already drunk in clubs, the girls get away with the money. I was not in the club last weekend, but I heard that the girl went for money that someone kept by his seat side, which he was getting prepared to go and spray. That was what happened,”

It was gathered that despite efforts made by other people in the club to rescue the girl, they continued to beat and molest her.

She was later dragged outside the club, and her lifeless body was dumped into the hotel’s swimming pool.

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident, said the birthday celebrant and his friends have been arrested while the case is being investigated.

“Contrary to what people are saying about the complicity of Cosmila Hotel, we were assisted by the management of the hotel, to arrest the suspects. Investigation is still ongoing,” the PPRO added.

By Oleka Percy Oleka,
Awka