April 19, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Army has released the detained King of Ewu Kingdom, Clement Ikolo.
THEWILL earlier reported that the traditional ruler had surrendered himself after he was declared wanted alongside seven other suspects by the army following the killing of 17 personnel in Okuama community in Delta State on March 14, 2024.
Ikolo was released on Friday and handed over to the Senator Representing Delta Central, Sen. Ede Dafinone, by the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu.
Confirming the development, Nwachukwu said the royal father was released on bail to the Senator after a preliminary investigation.
“Since his surrender, the Nigerian Army has painstakingly reviewed every available information on the incident and has come to some preliminary observations and inferences.
“One of which is that, while culpability has not been conclusively established against the traditional ruler, there is insufficient evidence to exonerate anyone at this stage.
“Nevertheless, on the intervention of distinguished Senator Dafinone, representing Delta Central, and his vouching for the monarch’s character, and the fact that the monarch voluntarily turned himself in for questioning, it has been decided that His Highness be released to the Senator.
“He has agreed to act as surety for his release on the condition that he will always assist the army and other agencies of government investigating the Okuama killing incident, to have access to the monarch whenever needed,” he said, adding that the release of the traditional ruler was in line with the army’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and justice.
In his response, the traditional ruler thanked God, Delta State Governor and members of the National Assembly from the state for their support. The royal father promised to support and cooperate with the army to ensure that the perpetrators of the dastardly act were brought to book.
On his part, Senator Dafinone commended the Nigerian army for exhibiting a high level of professionalism in the handling of the crisis and attested that the traditional ruler was treated with dignity.
