The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Murder

  • Community leader’s murder sparks outrage in Warri

    Community leader’s murder sparks outrage in Warri

    UNTIL Sunday, March 2, Comrade Ajulisan Akumagba was the President of Niger Delta Youths Movement, a very formidable youth group in the South South. He was also the Treasurer of Usor Community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

    Akumagba was brutally murdered in cold blood at the notorious Morogun Waterside Junction of Warri metropolis that fateful. The motive and masterminds of the heinous act remains yet unknown.

    Eyewitness said Akumagba was brutally stabbed by his assailants, who were apparently waiting for him at the crime-ridden area that fateful Sunday evening when he was returning home from an engagement. The incident occurred around the Iyara Road end of Essi College at about 8pm.

    Crime experts told our reporter that his killer was a professional because the single thrust of the blade was aimed at his left chest just under his breast and it probably went straight through his heart.

    It was gathered that Akumagba’s death was one of numerous unresolved killings in the notorious enclave where poverty, dearth of infrastructure and total absence of security presence make residents and visitors easy prey for hoodlums, drug users and gamblers in the area.

    The Police Area Commander in charge of Warri Area, Mr Rabiu Husseini, who was contacted by our reporter, refused to comment, saying: “Speak to the Police Public Relations Officer, please.”

    The PPRO, Celestina Kalu, confirmed the report saying: “The matter is under investigation and one person was arrested.”

    The spokesman of Usor Community, Mr Billy Ekele, hinted that Akumagba’s killers were probably hired assassins.

  • Murder in the hostel

    Murder in the hostel

    A graduating student of the Delta State University (DELSU), Obiaka Megwai, has been stabbed to death by an admission seeker, Victor Chukwudi Osodi, following an argument over N50 to buy fuel. PHILIP OKORODUDU (Graduating student of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering) and ESE OKODUWA (300-Level Home Economics) report.

    IT looked like a movie scene; but it was real. A graduating student of Guidance and Counselling at the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Obraka Megwai, was stabbed to death with a knife by Victor Chukwudi Osodi, an admission seeker.

    Obiaka was killed for failing to contribute N50 to buy fuel. The incident happened in City Wise Hostel, an off-campus hall in Ekrejeta area of the university’s host community. There was pandemonium in the hostel last Tuesday when the news spread.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that an argument ensued when the late Obiaka was asked to contribute N50 by the hostel’s caretaker to buy fuel to power the pumping machine. It was gathered that the slain student refused.

    It was learnt that other occupants contributed the sum to the caretaker, who went to buy the fuel.

    Trouble, however, started when the pipe connecting the deceased’s apartment to the water tank was disconnected by the caretaker. The late Obiaka was said to have re-connected the tap without the caretaker’s consent.

    In anger, the caretaker challenged the deceased and a row ensued between them. Their argument attracted other occupants, who reportedly condemned the late Obiaka’s action.

    In the ensuing melee, Victor, who came to write the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) but was not offered admission, took it upon himself to “deal decisively” with the late Obiaka. Victor was said to be living with his younger brother.

    An occupant, who craved anonymity, said: “The first thing we heard was ‘you no fit try am’ and this was followed by a loud shout for help.”

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the deceased was stabbed on the head and neck. Seeing what happened, other occupants fled while the victim was taken to the hospital where he was confirmed dead. The body was deposited at the Ufuoma Mortuary in Abraka.

    The assailant reportedly escaped after the crime. He was said to be staying in the room of his younger brother, a 200-Level student, who had travelled before the incident.

    When CAMPUSLIFE visited the hostel, the building was shut. The police reportedly fired several gunshots before locking the lodge.

    An officer, who pleaded for anonymity because he was not authorised to speak, confirmed the incident when our correspondent visited Abraka Police Station. He said the police were on the trail of the assailant, who, CAMPUSLIFE gathered, may have fled to his village.

     

  • Cynthia: ‘Primary suspects specialise in drugging, raping girls’

    Cynthia: ‘Primary suspects specialise in drugging, raping girls’

    • Court admits confessional statements of defendants

    A Lagos High Court,  Igbosere, yesterday heard that the alleged murderers of Facebook lover, Cynthia Osokogu had it all planned few days before she was killed.

    How Olisaeloka Ezike (second defendant) went to Agboju Market at the instance of Okumo Nwabufo (first defendant) and purchased chain and
    celotape, which they used in ‘killing’ Cynthia was disclosed by a prosecution witness, Joseph Edo.

    Led in Evidence by the state Attorney General, Ade Ipaye, Edo told the court that “it is the defendants’ stock-in-trade to invite women to
    hotels, drug and rape them”.

    He told the Justice Olabisi Akinlade presided court that Okumo and Ezike had it in mind to kill Cynthia on her arrival in Lagos.

    “From my investigation, I discovered that the first defendant sent the second defendant to Agboju Market to buy the instruments they used for the operation-Chain and Celotape- few days before Cynthia was killed.

    “The second defendant (Ezike) after getting the items and while still at the market, used his phone to snap them and forwarded the picture to the first defendant (Nwabufo).

    “He equally sent Nwabufo a text message from his phone asking if “this was the chain and celotape you asked me to buy?”.
    “Nwabufo replied Ezike that it will be okay for the job. The messages are all in their phones,” Edo said.

    Continuing, the witness told the court that he also discovered that the third defendant, Orji Osita, who is a pharmacist, aided the primary
    suspects to commit the crime by supplying them the Rohypnol used in subduing the deceased before they carried out the killing.

    He said the fourth defendant, Nonso Ezike dishonestly received Cynthia’s Blackberry phone from his elder brother who is the second defendant.

    “It was discovered that it was not the first phone he (Nonso) bought from the second defendant and he has knowledge of the first and second
    defendants stock-in-trade.

    “They specialise in bringing in ladies into hotel room, enticing them with
    one or two things and then rape them,” Edo said.

    Earlier, Justice Akinlade admitted in evidence, the confessional statements and video evidence made at Festac Police Station on August 20, 2012 by Nwabufo and Ezike admitting the murder.

    In a ruling delivered on the admissibility of the statements made by the first and second defendants, after they alleged that their statements were
    gotten under durex, Justice Akinlade held that their allegations before the court were concocted as there was no evidence to buttress their
    claims.

    She said the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt the statements were voluntarily made, adding that from her examination of the
    confessional statements, the handwritings of the defendant did not show they were under torture to write them.

    “The defendants were questioned in an open place and were also asked by the Area Commander if they made their statements voluntarily, which they attested in the affirmative.

    “Moreover, from the video evidence, the defendants looked well and untortured. It was when the Area Commander realised their narration was the same as contained in their confessional statements that he requested for a cameraman to video them.

    “I hereby rule that the prosecution has proven its case in the trial-within-trial to determine the admissibility of the confessional
    statements made by the first and second defendants on August 20, 2012 at Festac Police Station were voluntary.

    “I hereby admit the confessional statements and video evidence made by the defendants and tendered by the prosecution as exhibits,” she held.

    The matter has been adjourned to March 13 for continuation of trial.

     

  • Death of Corps member: Man to die by hanging

    A High Court sitting in Ikere-Ekiti, Ikere Local Government Area of the State yesterday sentenced  Theophilus Pius, 26,  to death by hanging for the murder of a female youth corps member, Anthonia Okeke.

    Pius, a commercial motorcyclist, reportedly colluded with others on 19th December 2008 to kidnap and later murder of Anthonia, a serving corps member at the time, in Ilawe-Ekiti who had hired him (the motorcyclist) to take her to the motor park in Ikere while going for Christmas celebrations in her hometown in Anambra State.

    Justice Adegoriola Adeleye also handed Pius a separate ten-year sentence for kidnapping late Anthonia which culminated in her  death in the hands of ritualists.

    Anthonia,  a Chemical Engineering graduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, was from Umuno Ndiuno  in Ezeagu Local Government area of Enugu  State.

    Justice Adeleye, had submitted that the evidence as presented Mr. Adeleye Familoni, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) at the  State Ministry of Justice, against the accused person as sufficiently useful and reliable to  convince the court that the accused person was actually guilty.

    Adeleye said: “I submit that the Prosecution Counsel has been able to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt. He has been able to establish that
    the Defendant is culpable and no criminal shall go unpunished  in the
    face of law”.

    Spokesperson for the family, Mr. Obinna Okeke, Anthonia’s elder brother, commended the judgment, saying “the verdict has proved that those with criminal intentions cannot have their ways as long as the government is determined to apply the relevant laws against them in a diligent manner”.
    Okeke  also thanked the State Ministry of Justice, the police, the human rights groups and National Youth Service Corps for pursuing  the case to “its very useful and meaningful end”.

    In his comments, the  DPP, Familoni, noted the judgment  was a victory of “light over darkness and of good against evil doers”, adding that those who desire to make money by any means would always meet a dead end

    According to him, the Justice Ministry would continue to ensure that judicial means were applied “against those with criminal tendencies in the State”.

  • Deposed Oyo chief held for ‘murder’

    Deposed Oyo chief held for ‘murder’

    The deposed Baale of Agudu in Oyo State, Molike Ogunsanya, and two others have been arrested by the police for allegedly killing Saheed Ogundele (25) last Thursday.

    Ogunsanya was deposed by the Olubadan and replaced with Chief Tajudeen Adeyemo.

    Police spokesperson Olabisi Clet-Ilobanafor said the suspects, who are being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Iyaganku, Ibadan, would be charged to court when the police conclude their investigation.

    It was learnt that the late Ogundele was on a motorcycle with two of his friends when a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) parked in front of them.

    Mr. Yemi Onifade, who was riding the motorcycle, said: “The SUV parked in front of us and its four occupants ordered us not to move. Suddenly, thugs overwhelmed us, wielding cutlasses and axes. One of them dragged Ogundele down from the motorcycle.

    “We were still at a fix, when one baba (Ogunsanya), who sat in front of the SUV holding a gun, shot at us. I and the third person (Mr. Jide Adewale) ran into the bush. Later, we heard Ogundele crying aloud for help. When Adewale and I came out of hiding, we found Ogundele rolling on the ground and bleeding. We took him to Akanran Police Station and some policemen accompanied us to Bembo Hospital, where the doctor told us he was dead.”

    It was gathered that Ogunsanya and some members of the community were fighting over a parcel of land.

     

     

     

     

  • Court remands man for murder, attempted robbery

    An Ikeja, Lagos magistrate has ordered Suleman Kabiru, 32, who allegedly attempted to rob United Bank for Africa (UBA), Isolo, Lagos branch to be remanded in prison custody.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Abimbola Komolafe, gave the order pending an advice from the Office of the State Director of Public Prosecutions.

    Kabiru is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, murder and armed robbery.

    The prosecutor, Assistant Supretendent of Police(ASP) Eranus Nnamonu said the defendant armed with Ak-47 rifle and other dangerous weapons in an attempt to rob the bank shot and killed one Mr Eze Okoro.

    He said the defendant and others, who are on the run, committed the offence about 9 p.m., on March 8, this year.

    The prosecutor said the offence contravenes Sections 228, Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011 and Sections 1(2) (a), of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act, Cap 398, Vol. XXII, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 1990 (amended).

    When the suspect was arraigned, the court did not take his plea.

    The magistrate adjourned the case till November 5, this year for mention.

     

     

  • Court orders murder suspect remanded in prison

    A Magistrate, Mrs. Abimbola Komolafe of an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court, yesterday ordered a 28-year-old man, Michael Terhumba, facing charges of murder and robbery, to be remanded in prison custody, pending legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution(DPP).

    Another suspect, Mustapha Rabiu, 37, was arraigned for receiving stolen property, one Mack Truck Tipper, from the murder suspect, Terhumba.

    Terhumba was arraigned before Mrs. Komolafe on a three-count charge of conspiracy, robbery and murder, and the receiver of the stolen truck, Rabiu, was arraigned on a two- count charge of conspiracy and receiving a stolen good.

    The police prosecutor, ASP Iranus Nnamonu, told the court that the defendant allegedly conspired with others at large and with intent to rob, unlawfully killed Mr. George Aboagry.

    He also alleged that Terhumba conspired with others at large to steal one Mack Truck Tipper, with registration number XX 293 FST, valued at N6 million, belonging to Mrs. Omowunmi Omotuwase.

    When the charges were read, each of the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them by the Police.

    The magistrate adjourned Terhumba’s case till October 15 for DPP’s advice and adjourned Rabiu’s case till September 24 for mention.

  • Murdered because of phone charger

    Murdered because of phone charger

    A few weeks to his wedding, Adegbeso met his death over a phone charger. Taiwo Abiodun reports

    For Dele Adegbeso,33, his plan to marry his heartthrob Adesewa and settle down has been shattered for life. His friend snuffed life out of him in a gruesome manner on the July 28.

    The exact motive behind the killing is still shrouded in mystery. And now for the residents of Ijebu –Ife, Ogun State, they will not know peace until the suspect, one Muyideen Olowolayemo (aka Tintiyo) who has been giving them sleepless nights is brought to book. In the last three weeks the ancient town has been in enveloped in confusion while some of the community members are relieved that the suspect had been taken away from their midst yet many still nurse fear as they sleep with one eye open for the fear that he might come back to continue his alleged atrocities.

    On what could have caused the feud between the two friends -Adegbeso and Olowolayemo- some sources said, Adegbeso was allegedly killed by his friend over a handset charger while another said he was killed for exposing his friend, Olowolayemo who is alleged to be a robber in the town. The two friends lived in the same vicinity.

    Miss Adesewa, the fiancée of the deceased said she was on her way to her sister’s place on the fateful day when she heard about the death of her lover. According to her, “On that fateful Sunday, July 28, after leaving the church, I was on my way to my sister’s place when I heard wailings and gnashing of teeth that my fiancé had been killed. I saw many people running and screaming that somebody had used knife and broken bottle to kill my husband-to-be. When I got to his house I saw him in a sitting position at a corner and in a pool of his own blood while some blood were splattered on the walls, blood was on the ground. It was terrible; I saw broken bottles and knife buried in his neck.”

    Who dun it

    On what could have caused the misunderstanding, Adesewa said “I know that there was a misunderstanding between them. There was a time when the police raided our house and the suspect’s (Tintiyo) house but the suspect did not allow the Vigilante and policemen to search his room. My husband then challenged him but when the Vigilante left Tintiyo now turned on him in a fury and vowed to kill him for having the guts to dare him. He boasted that he would drain his blood in a calabash but we thought it was an empty boast or threat but it is now very unfortunate that we now know better. I saw the knife he dipped into his neck, it broke into two while he left the remnants there in his neck. This is callous”, she said as she bursts into tears again.

    When the reporter visited Adesewa who has returned to her parents’ home where she is still mourning the loss of her fiancé, she looked devastated and confused, surrounded by sympathisers. Asked whether they had consummated their marriage, Adesewa replied ‘’we were still planning for that. It was in the pipeline and everything was in full gear until this ugly incident. I don’t know whether I am pregnant now ‘’ she said, sobbing.

    Àdebayo Adegbeso, the younger brother to the late Dele could not control himself, he broke down and wept profusely saying his mother had four children and one died some years ago and now Dele was gone too. He said he came from Lagos to see his mother in Ijebu -Ife but as he was preparing to go back on that fateful Sunday he was tricked to his brother’s house that he was calling him, “Three of my brother’s friends tricked me that my late brother was calling me and I went with them but at the entrance of the house they now revealed to me that he had been killed by his friend who had once threatened him.”

    He, however, gave another version, “They said they fought over a handset charger and that was why he was killed. When I got there he was already dead while I learnt that the suspected assailant had run away. The caked blood on the ground and on the walls was frightening. We lost our father many years ago and now our mother is getting old. What kind of life is this?”,he asked rhetorically as he broke down and burst into tears.

    But Yinka Kowobari said both the suspected assailant and the deceased were members of the town’s vigilante group. While Tintiyo was suspected to be an alleged armed robber a fact which many the residents are all aware of but afraid to face because they said he had turned himself into a terror. “Tintiyo was a suspect and he was very tough as no man can challenge him. He goes about doing what he likes. I learnt they quarrelled over phone charger, I told the late Dele to buy another one for Titinyo if it is the charger that the suspect was after. Well, I know that the late man sent me on an errand to go and buy another for him but on my return he had killed his friend. I saw people running to his house shouting and screaming that Tintiyo had killed him. But funny enough I saw the suspect coming out from the building and I challenged him, asking why he was stained with blood and what he was doing with knife and broken bottle he had in his hands. In fact, I did not know he had allegedly killed Dele. I asked again the type of animal he killed in the compound not knowing he had committed murder. But seeing how he was fuming, I then suspected he must have done a terrible thing. Then, I screamed that he had killed his friend, he later ran away.” He continued, “when I entered the house where my friend was killed, I found blood, broken bottle, knife left in the neck of the deceased. It was a horrible sight. I could not believe my eyes. In fact, I was even calling him not knowing that he had finally gone. This is terrible. I can’t believe I would not meet Dele who sent me to go and buy another charger. I don’t know what to say.”

    Investigation revealed that the suspect who lived in the same vicinity visited his victim, and grabbed him from the back and allegedly stabbed him several times with a knife and cutlass; he later buried the broken knife in his neck. The suspected assailant who was said to be a butcher killed the man professionally. There was a big gap in the neck while he cut the oesophagus clinically, there is no way the victim could have survive it.

    Caught at last

    Immediately the suspect carried out his nefarious act, he quickly went into hiding in the bush near the house but cries of Dele in the death throes attracted the neighbours. But many people were afraid of the suspect and therefore alerted the police. His hiding place in the bush was exposed when a 10 year-old boy went there to defecate. It was the boy who spotted him and raised an alarm.The suspect was eventually caught and handed over to the police.

    According to Jimoh Moradejo (aka Akeweje of Ijebu Ife), “Immediately we heard of the case we quickly spread our security dragnets , some of us went to the express road while others went to the nooks and crannies of the town searching for the suspect. But thank God that he did not escape.”

    The mother of the boy refused to allow anyone speak with his son over fear that the suspect might come back to harm him. A resident observed, “The woman was afraid thinking her son’s life is not safe so she has to be hiding him from the public.”

  • From political contest to murder

    A simple matter of holding primaries for election of a councillorship candidate turns bloody, Ogochukwu Anioke in Abakaliki reports.

     

    On Tuesday 23rd of July, the Ebonyi State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held its councillorship primaries to elect the party’s flag bearers for the forthcoming local government elections fixed for September 29, 2013.

    The primaries turned out bloody in many local government areas in the state with at least one person confirmed dead and scores of others injured and hospitalised.

    At least, one member of the State House of Assembly allegedly escaped death by the whiskers in the outbreak of violence that marred the conduct of the primaries. Cars, a house and other valuables were also torched in one of the LGAs while many more were vandalised in the violence which took place in over eight local government areas.

    The outbreak of violence also led to the cancellation of the results of the primaries in Afikpo South and some wards in Onicha and Ohaukwu LGAs by the party.

    Briefing journalists in Abakaliki, police spokesman, DSP Sylvester Igbo, said one Kalu Ogbu Awu, 38, was killed by gunshot while another party faithful, Ibom Agwu Kama, sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

    Violence unlimited

    Igbo said initial report gathered by the police indicated that the outbreak of violence in the local government area was due to a clash between supporters of the two councillorship aspirants in the ward.

    The spokesman gave the name of those alleged to have carried out the shooting as Nnachi K.C. and Onyemachi Dick.

    The Police, according to Igbo, also foiled an attempt by one of the factions to burn down the house of Collinius Orji, the Development Centre Co-ordinator of Edda East Development Centre.

    But the member representing Afikpo South West Constituency, Eni Uduma Chima disagreed with the police report on the killing accusing them of trying to protect the real killers (names withheld) of Kalu Ogbu.

    According to him, “The police as usual are conniving with the people that have been terrorising our people to cover up the truth behind the killing, they have received inducement. The man they are accusing, Nnachi KC, was with me when the incident happened in another ward, he never left his ward to the ward where the incident happened.”

    In Ezza North LGA, according to the police spokesman, a Mercedes Benz truck with registration number XJ182NSH belonging to one Mr Sunday Ogbuagu, a Supervisory Councillor in the council and a house nearby was set ablaze by a faction said to be unhappy with the outcome of the primaries.

    In Ohaozara Local Government Area, it was reliably gathered that the PDP Chairman of the LGA, Okechukwu Mark, was accosted by thugs on his way to submit the result of the primaries for Amichi Ward to the Council Headquarters in Obiozara and allegedly beaten and the result snatched from him.

    The result was, however, recovered from the thugs after the Council Chairman, Enekwachi Akpa, ordered security operatives and officials of the party to recover the results.

    Confirming the incident, the councillor representing Amichi ward told our reporter that the Ward recorded a successful poll except that the result was snatched from the chairman of the party who was on his way to submit the result at the council headquarters.

    During the fracas, one of the state PDP executives in the area (popularly known as Apostle) sustained minor injuries. Contacted, Akpa who reluctantly spoke to reporters denied any knowledge of violence in the area saying: “I don’t know of any violence. We had a successful election.”

    It was completely an ugly scenario at the council headquarters of Onicha LGA as a serving councillor in the area, (names withheld) was beaten and arrested by the police for allegedly bringing in a dagger into the hall where electoral materials for the election were being distributed.

    Trouble started when electoral materials meant for Ishinkwor Ukawu Ward was handed over to a wrong representative of the area for the conduct of the councillorship election. This was resisted by the incumbent councillor.

    Attempt to foil the delivery of the material to the ward through protest led to fracas as he (the councillor) was besieged by some youths and beaten up in the process.

    A member of the House of Assembly, Odefa Obasi Odefa representing Onicha East Constituency, allegedly escaped being stabbed by the councillor in the ensuing melee which happened right inside the council headquarters.

    Also, the Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development, Timothy Odaah who is from the area narrowly escaped being attacked by thugs during the incident.

    The commissioner who accused the House of Representatives member of Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo Federal Constituency, Linus Okorie, for allegedly making inciting statements regarding the incident, added that such remarks were tantamount to instigating youths towards violence and destruction of lives and properties.

    But in a quick reaction, the House of Representative member denied making any inciting statements, stressing that what he did was to ensure that materials for the election were peacefully distributed. He described the allegation as a case of mistaken identity by the commissioner.

    The situation degenerated to an extent that the PDP South East Publicity Secretary, Ali Odefa and a brother to Obasi Odefa engaged in verbal exchanges with the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Finance, Timothy Odaa over the incident, with both men accusing each other of being responsible for the incident and attempting to manipulate the electoral process to favour their candidates.

    In Izzi Local Government Area, a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) belonging to the chairman of the council was vandalised while the driver, Godwin Obasi, was admitted at the hospital with machete cuts all over his body after thugs loyal to a party stalwart in the area descended on him in the wake of conveying policemen and electoral materials to Igbeagu Ward 1 of the council.

    In Ohaukwu, violence erupted in the wake of the elections after one of the factions that lost the primaries attacked electoral officers of the party and carted away the electoral results.

    It was also gathered that the crises led to the hospitalisation of at least two persons with varying degrees of injuries from machete cuts even though they are not believed to be in critical condition.

    The State Working Committee of the party cancelled all the primaries held in Afikpo Local Government Area of the state and some wards in Onicha and Ohaukwu Local Government Area.

    A statement by the state chairman of the party, Prince Ugorji Ama-Oti gave the list of wards to include Obegu Ward in Onicha Local Government Area, Effium wards two and three in Ohaukwu Local Government Area.

    Protest over alleged police cover up

    Two days later, over 500 indigenes of Ekoli Edda, Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, protested the alleged killing of the youth, Ogbu, during the PDP councillorship primaries in the state.

    The protesters who were mainly aged women and men, were seen outside the state police headquarters carrying placards.

    Some of them read: “Police stop covering up the truth”, “Punish Stanley and Etta for killing Kalu Ogbu”, “Let the truth prevail, arrest the killers now – Stanley”, “Stanley should be held responsible”, “Murder is crime, police should arrest Stanley”, “killer shouldn’t be given opportunities to head and rule”, “Stop playing politics with the life of our people”, among others.

    The victim, who hails from Amaeke Ward1, was killed on July 22nd, as he came out to be part of the councillorship election in Ekoli Edda.

    The protesters, who cried out for justice, alleged that one Stanley was the person who killed Ogbu during the PDP councillorship primaries. They also accused the police of arresting innocent persons who had nothing to do with the ugly incident.

    But the Command’s spokesman, Igbo, charged the people to desist from making statements they could not substantiate.

    He said the police arrested and released the alleged suspect because nobody from the community came to the police station to indict him (the suspect).

    “It is not good for people to make a statement which they cannot prove. Somebody was shot at the venue of the PDP primaries, but nobody came to tell the police that the person arrested was the person who committed the crime. We are still investigating the matter and as we get overwhelming evidence on the suspect, we can agree with them.”

    Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mrs. Ugo Nnachi and Nze Nnachi Nkamaiye called on the police to make effort and arrest the alleged suspect to avoid crisis in Ekoli Edda community.

    “The brother of the victim took the lifeless body of his brother to their compound and later retrieved it because some stakeholders decided to offer him N2 million and also make him the next councillor of his ward,” she further alleged.

    Despite the protest, the police seem not interested in bringing the culprits to book.

    Speaking with The Nation, Eni Uduma alleged that the Police is still holding an innocent member of the community as suspect in the matter which he alleged has nothing to do with the case.

    He also alleged that the Police refused to take the statement of the women and other witnesses who were present at the scene of the shooting. He therefore called on the Inspector General of Police to take over the matter, adding that some top police officers handling the matter have been compromised, hence the cat and mouse game the police is playing to a murder investigation.

    “I call on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar to take over the matter and assign it to officers who are honest and have their integrity intact; who will look at issues dispassionately, make arrest, conduct investigation and charge the prime suspect to court for murder.

    “I’m not satisfied with the investigation being carried out by the police. They are covering up the suspect. The actual person who did the shooting is not in police custody. We are talking about the shooting and killing of Kalu Ogbu in Ogbaja Ward on 23rd July 2013 in broad day light witnessed by a thousand people who have come to volunteer their statement to the police. The police are sweeping it under the carpet. I keep saying, you can bend the truth, twist it, distort it but you can never destroy it. The truth will always surface”, he concluded.

    A source at the police headquarters in Abakaliki, denied the allegations adding that the police is doing a thorough investigation. The source noted that the suspect in custody was fingered by some eye witnesses in the matter in their statements. He denied that the police refused to take statement of the women who came to protest at the station.

    “The women protested at the gate and left, they did not come into the station to give statement. We will be happy to take their statement and others because that is very important in solving the matter,”‘ the source added.

    The report of the investigation is expected to be out by next week, said the source.

    It was also gathered that the lawmaker has petitioned the Inspector General of Police to take over the case because he was not satisfied with the way the police is handling it.

     

  • Rivers House Leader to face attempted murder charge

    Rivers House Leader to face attempted murder charge

    •Lloyd to defend six counts in court

    Rivers State House of Assembly Leader Chidi Lloyd has been slammed with a six-count charge by the police over the July 9 fracas in the House.

    Lloyd is expected to be taken before a Magistrate’s Court in Port Harcourt, the state capital, today.

    It was gathered yesterday that the charges filed against him include conspiracy, attempted murder, assault and malicious damage.

    The police yesterday said they were handling the investigation into allegations against Lloyd professionally.

    Police spokesman Frank Mba also said that the lawmaker was moved in an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC)from the Port Harcourt Airport to the State Police Command Headquarters.

    But Rivers State Police Commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu said he had not seen Lloyd since he was brought to Port Harcourt from Abuja where he gave himself up after being declared wanted by the police.

    Lloyd turned himself in to the police on July 25, following the crisis in the Assembly on July 9.

    He was declared wanted by the police for his alleged role in the fracas.

    Mba told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Abuja that detectives handling the case were professional.

    He said it was untrue that the police tortured the detained lawmaker.

    “I want to say that our handling of the investigation involving Chidi Lloyd has been as professional as possible.

    “Detectives investigating that case have been very meticulous, very professional. We have done everything humanly possible to ensure that the honourable’s rights are respected.

    “It is not true that he is being manhandled, it is not true that he was tear-gassed and it is also not true that he was moved from the airport to the state command headquarters in a black Maria.

    “As a matter of fact, we used an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) to move him from the airport to the command headquarters. And the reasons are obvious, because of the peculiar nature of Rivers State politics.“

    He said the police had enough men on ground to escort the motorcade carrying the House Leader from the airport to state police command headquarters.

    “I can also assure that it is not true that Chidi Lloyd is having any health issue. He is doing very well,“ he said.

    Mbu washed his hands off the case , saying Abuja is handling it.

    The police chief, speaking to reporters yesterday, said he had not seen the embattled lawmaker for many months. He exonerated the Police from all allegation of torture on the legislator, insisting that the police do not torture suspects.

    “The offence Chidi Lloyd committed is not an imagination, it is real and all of us may have seen it. The Police have no cause to torture him.

    “I just want to clear my name, I’m not involved, I have not seen him. I saw him last physically when he came to report a case that his vehicle was hit by company’s car which we investigated and it was over.

    “I want to throw more light, I have read in the newspapers that I sent about 500 riot policemen to the airport to arrest and bring Lloyd, who is in the police custody on the offence of attempted murder. “As you all know, no day passes without the name of the commissioner of police Rivers state being mentioned in your dailies. I’m so happy because all of you have made me become so popular in Nigeria and beyond.

    “The case involving Rivers state House of Assembly is being investigated and handled by the deputy inspector-general of Police, force CID., Abuja.

    “The said Chidi Lloyd reported in Abuja, Abuja brought him here and he is under their custody. I have not even seen him because there is a commissioner of Police in Abuja who came in with him to prosecute him.

    “That is the truth about the case involving the House leader. The case is out of our hand, and I can’t even remember when I saw him except in a video clip.”

    It will be recalled that the CP at a news briefing after the July 9 Assembly fracas said Llyod brought a letter requesting him to give police protection for the House sitting .

    Lloyd who is representing Emuoha constituency in the House of Assembly is being detained and investigated over his roles in the July 9, free-for-all in the House.

    On arrival in Port Harcourt last Friday, his lawyer, Beluolisa Nwaofor (SAN) and Emenike Ebete, raised dust over alleged torture of their client. They told Justice Esor Teetito of a State High Court that he was flown into Port Harcourt in blindfold.

    They expressed fears over his safety in custody.