Isidore Okpewho’s
novel, The Last Duty illustrates the grim demand for sex in exchange
for money and sundry items of survival in a war situation. In the novel, Toje,
the conceited, narcissist Urukpe chief, in a dire demonstration of callousness,
incriminates his business rival Oshevire for allegedly conspiring with rebel
soldiers. While Oshevire is in detention leaving his wife Aku and only son
Oghenovo, Toje unconscionably takes advantage of his absence, offers Aku food
and money in exchange for sexual gratification to revive his infirm manhood.
Faced with hunger and
starvation, Aku gives in to Toje’s morbid sexual request much against her own
convictions. In the same vein, the sub-plot of Festus Iyayi’s novel, Violence
recounts how Adisa, Idemudia’s wife succumbs to Obofun’s sexual demands
in order to raise money to pay her husband’s hospital bills. Her immoral act
becomes inconsequential as the hospital bill is paid by her husband’s friends
Osaro and Omoifo by the time she arrives at the hospital with the filthy lucre.