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Tag: Emiko Onuwaje

  • Community seeks arrest of son’s killers

    Community seeks arrest of son’s killers

    The Ugborodo Community Management Committee has called on law enforcement and relevant federal authorities to ensure the arrest, investigation, and prosecution of the individuals involved who killed their son, Emiko Onuwaje.

    At a press conference last weekend, the committee said Onuwaje was killed during an attack allegedly carried out by assailants acting on the instructions of a sponsor.

    The committee maintained that the incident followed a series of reported threats and acts of intimidation in the community.

    Chairman of the committee, Emmanuel Onuwaje, said witness and evidence relating to the incident had been submitted to security agencies.

    He noted that while arrests were reportedly made at the scene and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) directed an investigation, key suspects and alleged sponsors had not been charged.

    The committee raised concerns over perceived “undue delay in the investigation and prosecution,” warning that failure to act could undermine public confidence in law enforcement and the justice system.

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    It further alleged the unlawful deployment and possible involvement of uniformed security personnel in the incident, and called for an independent investigation into their conduct in line with applicable laws and service regulations.

    The community is demanding the arraignment of suspects, an investigation into alleged sponsors, disciplinary action against any compromised security personnel, and adequate protection for witnesses.

    The committee urged the IGP, Department of State Services, National Security Adviser, military high command, and Attorney-General of the Federation to treat the case as a matter of public safety and national security.

    The victim was killed on December 20, at Ogidigben amid reports of youth leadership tussle in the community.

  • Ugborodo community seeks prosecution over killing of son, Emiko Onuwaje

    Ugborodo community seeks prosecution over killing of son, Emiko Onuwaje

    The Ugborodo Community Management Committee has called on law enforcement and relevant federal authorities to ensure the arrest, investigation, and prosecution of all individuals involved in the killing of Emiko Onuwaje, describing the matter as a test of the rule of law.

    At a press conference held at the community hall weekend, the committee said Onuwaje was killed during an attack allegedly carried out by armed assailants acting on the instructions of a local sponsor. 

    The committee maintained that the incident followed a series of reported threats and acts of intimidation within the community.

    Chairman of the committee, Emmanuel Onuwaje, said witness accounts and physical evidence relating to the incident have been submitted to security agencies.

    He noted that while arrests were reportedly made at the scene and the Inspector-General of Police directed an investigation, individuals identified as key suspects and alleged sponsors have not been formally charged.

    The committee raised concerns over perceived “undue delay in the investigation and prosecution process,” warning that failure to act could undermine public confidence in law enforcement and the justice system.

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    It further alleged the unlawful deployment and possible involvement of uniformed security personnel in the incident, and called for an independent investigation into their conduct in line with applicable laws and service regulations.

    The Ugborodo community is demanding the immediate arraignment of all suspects, a full investigation into alleged sponsors, disciplinary action against any compromised security personnel, and adequate protection for witnesses.

    The committee urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services, the National Security Adviser, the military high command, and the Attorney-General of the Federation to treat the case as a matter of public safety and national security.

    Recall that the victim was killed on Saturday December 20, at Ogidigben amid reports of youth leadership tussle in the community.

  • Suspects of Onuwaje’s murder must face trial, says Delta community

    Suspects of Onuwaje’s murder must face trial, says Delta community

    Amid claims and counter claims, the people of Ugborodo Community in Warri Southwest Local Government Area of Delta State has insisted that the masterminds of the murder of Emiko Onuwaje must face trial to secure justice for the bereaved family.

    They vowed not accept the return of a prominent indigene of the community back home, until the culprits were fished out by the Police to face prosecution.

    The leaders of the community made the declaration on Monday during a peaceful protest at Ogidigben in Ugborodo Federated Communities of Warri Federal Constituency.

    Clad in all-black, the aggrieved Ugborodo indigenes, marched through several streets in Ogidigben, singing solemn songs and brandishing leaves.

    Addressing reporters, the Vice Chairman of Ugborodo Community Management Committee (UCMC), and spokesman of Ogidigben Community Council of Elders, Austin Ajuremisan, maintained that there was no way justice would come, without bringing the culprit to book.

    Also speaking with reporters, the Secretary, UCMC, Mr. Eyengho Samuel Besidone, equally demanded justice.

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    He said:  “The man (Emiko Onuwaje) killed has children and family. The killing is purely murder, not community differences. When the armed men invaded our community, we thought they were bandits, only to see some of our brothers, claiming to fight for the palace.’’

    “We are calling on the Federal Government and security agencies to do the needful. The dead are crying for justice and justice must be served.”

    The Eghare-Aja of Ugborodo, Eghare Daniel Uwawah, recalled that  the incident happened  when some Ugborodo indigenes, including the late Emiko Onuwaje, were on their way to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Ogidigben for a peaceful protest, that they were allegedly attacked, leading to Onuwaje’s death.

    Prominent Itsekiri leader, Chief Ayirimi Emami, who was in grief, asserted: “My pipeline surveillance company has written several petitions against the prime suspect, who does illegal bunkering. Whenever you tell him to retrace his footsteps, they will say you are fighting the palace, as if the palace is aiding criminality. Does the palace send people to protest or partake in criminal activities?

    “The President is against illegal possession of firearms. Once they find out it’s not Ayiri, nobody wants to act. One of the boys caught has made confessional statements in view of the murder of Emiko Onuwaje.”