Veteran Nollywood actress and evangelist Eucharia Anunobi has opened up about the circumstances that led to the birth of her late son, as she addressed whether she overlooked genotype compatibility when she met her ex-husband, Charles Ekwu.
Speaking during an interview on the Honest Brunch Podcast, the actress explained that she was fully aware of the importance of genotype before entering the marriage, noting that she had known since her secondary school days that she carried the AS genotype. She disclosed that during her relationship with Charles, she informed him about her genotype and encouraged him to get tested.
The results later revealed that he was also AS, a discovery she said immediately raised concerns. According to Anunobi, she decided to end the relationship at that point due to the risks involved. However, she said her partner convinced her otherwise, assuring her that things would work out differently.
She explained that although the relationship was “sweet and nice,” her parents were strongly against the marriage. Despite their concerns, she said Charles persisted, promising to become the man she desired and assuring her that he would make her proud.
According to her, he pleaded with her and expressed confidence that their situation would not lead to complications, even if they had children together. His persistence and assurances, she said, eventually influenced her decision to go ahead with the relationship and marriage.
“Charles Ekwu, if you see this video, just know I am not lying against you,” she said.
The actress revealed that their union led to the birth of their son, Raymond Ekwu, whose condition marked the beginning of a long and difficult journey after he was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease.
She noted that her challenges intensified after the birth of their son, alleging that her husband later abandoned both her and the child, leaving her to shoulder the full responsibility of caregiving.
Recounting the painful experience, she said he withdrew from his role as a father and did not maintain a relationship with their son.
“Charles turned. He turned against his own son. He didn’t want to relate with his own son. Because I had to work, I was the one taking care of the bills. I was the one doing everything,” she said as she broke down in tears.
Anunobi added that the situation reminded her of the warnings her parents had given her before the marriage, warnings she admitted she overlooked because she believed things would improve.
“I still held onto the marriage believing that it’s alright, we will be fine. He’s the same person who said he would be there with me through thick and thin,” she said.
She further disclosed that throughout the marriage, she carried most of the financial and parental responsibilities.
“He is the same person that my parents said, ‘Eucharia, this guy is not it for you.’ I was the one doing everything. Charles never brought one naira,” she stated.
Read Also: I Spent Millions Caring for My Son, Yet I Still Lost Him to Sickle Cell Disease – Eucharia Anunobi
Sharing more about her son’s health journey, she said, “Just before my son was one year old, he fell ill, and I took him to the hospital. They checked his genotype and said he was SS, and there started the battle of my life.”
Following the diagnosis, Anunobi said she dedicated herself to understanding the condition and finding ways to manage it effectively.
“I started going everywhere. I started looking for medication, reading about herbs and studying everything about what it means to take care of an SS child,” she said.
She explained that caring for her son required strict lifestyle adjustments to protect his health from environmental triggers.
“I started understanding that they can’t stay where there is dust or where there is heat. My son never drank pure water,” she added.
The actress revealed that she took extra precautions, including ensuring he stayed indoors when necessary, drank bottled water, and maintained a healthy diet. She also invested heavily in his medical care and stayed closely connected with him at all times.
“I spent millions just to ensure his well-being. I was always on the phone with him when I travelled or was outside the house, just to make sure he was fine and safe,” she said.
According to Anunobi, her son’s condition remained relatively stable between the ages of seven and fourteen, with minimal hospital visits. However, things took a tragic turn when he was 16 years and five months old.
She explained that although he appeared healthy, she took him to the hospital for a routine check-up. During the visit, a doctor inquired about his medical history, particularly whether he had previously undergone a blood transfusion. After confirming that he had, another transfusion was recommended to improve his blood levels.
Anunobi recounted that a critical error occurred during the process. She said that after returning with the required blood, she discovered that a student doctor had mistakenly withdrawn three pints of her son’s blood instead of administering the transfusion.
She added that her son later developed jaundice, and his condition deteriorated rapidly following the incident, which eventually led to his passing.
