Media Team
A grieving Nigerian attorney, Joe Agbatar, has spoken out following the tragic passing of his 33-year-old sister, Henrietta Doosuurshater Agbatar.
Reports indicate Henrietta passed away just one year after exchanging vows.
In an emotional Facebook post dated Sunday, August 17, 2025, Joe disputed claims by Henrietta’s husband, Sefa Awen, who asserted she succumbed to a lung infection on July 31.
Joe countered this version, insisting his sister’s demise resulted from chronic heart failure triggered by “the cruel circumstances she found herself trapped in.”
The bereaved lawyer revealed Henrietta’s life took a drastic downturn immediately following her August 2024 wedding.
Below is his full statement:
“Many have sought answers during our family’s silence. Here’s a glimpse into this tragedy,” he began.
Henrietta Doosuurshater Agbatar (she retained her maiden name) was my beloved younger sister.
After 33 cherished years with our family, I officiated her union with Sefa Awen on August 15, 2024, with their church ceremony following two days later (today would mark their anniversary).
Marriage brought immediate, devastating changes to her life – details that may surface later, perhaps from other sources.
On July 31, 2025, she departed suddenly and unjustly.
Contrary to claims of lung infection, medical evidence points to progressive heart failure stemming from what turned out to be a perilous marital situation.
Seeking to spare our hypertensive mother extended grief, we proposed an August 9 burial.
Her husband’s family rejected this, citing full bride price payment (a symbolic N1,000 I’d accepted) as granting them exclusive burial rights – a stance that triggered our mother’s collapse.
They subsequently arranged the funeral without our knowledge, with details only surfacing through an online announcement spotted by my cousin, Uvah, Esq.
After repeated failed communications, I obtained a burial injunction on August 11.
Sefa’s family visited that afternoon, coldly informing my recovering mother of their unilateral funeral plans before departing. No arrangements were discussed regarding our participation.
Following mediation by community elders and forced apologies from Sefa’s family, we’ve tentatively agreed on an August 21 burial at Sefa’s village.
Wake services will occur at both residences on August 20, followed by a requiem mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral in Makurdi before burial.
May Henrietta’s soul and all departed faithful find eternal peace.”
