“We Wish He Was Alive — Justice Cannot Heal Pain of Our Father’s Murder,” Says Akunyili’s Son

Obumneme Akunyili, son of the late Dora and Chike Akunyili, says no form of justice can ease the pain of losing his father, who was killed in Anambra four years ago.

Chike Akunyili, a medical doctor, was shot dead by gunmen on September 28, 2021, at Afor Nkpor junction in Onitsha. Speaking at St. Leo Hospital, Enugu, during the annual medical outreach held in his father’s memory, Obumneme described the killing as a “gruesome murder” that has left a lasting scar on the family.

“It is devastating when I scroll through my phone and see videos of my father’s death,” he said. “With time, the pain is not as sharp as before, but it never goes away. You try to hold on to the positive memories, but once you reach for it, the pain bites back. Life must go on — I now have children of my own who need me, and I try to live by the lessons I learnt from my father.”

He recalled being informed by a former Anambra governor that the gang behind the attack had been eliminated but said the news brought little comfort. “We wish our father was alive, that is what matters most to us. Whether the killers were punished or not, it doesn’t bring him back,” he added.

The annual outreach, which provides free medical care to hundreds, is funded by the Akunyili family in honour of their late patriarch. According to Obumneme, the greatest contribution comes from volunteer doctors, while most of the funds go into purchasing drugs.

“Last year, we couldn’t do much because of construction work around the hospital and some family difficulties. But we still carried out acts of charity privately. This year, we put structures in place to ensure the programme continues,” he said.

He described the feedback from beneficiaries as “exceptional” and expressed hope that the initiative will grow into a lasting legacy for his father, who was widely admired for his dedication to charity.