The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, has been petitioned over the unlawful release of a murder suspect whom the petitioners allegedly killed one Emeka Onianwa, an indigene of Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta state.
The petitioners alleged that the prime suspect in the case, one Innocent Esewezie, who they alleged killed Onianwa during the April, 11, 2015 governorship/House of Assembly elections was released from prison custody on the order of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
The petitioners alleged that Onianwa was shot by the suspect at the residence of one Fred Ajudua.
The deceased who have been battling with life since the incident finally gave up the ghost on April 13 at UBTH where he was referred for treatment from FMC, Asaba, it was learnt.
But Ajudua got an injunction from a Delta State High Court, sitting in Akwukwu-Igbo last Wednesday , restraining the police from arresting him and his wife, who is a lawmaker at the state House of Assembly and 11 others who are being charged for the alleged murder.
The prime suspect in the case, Innocent Esewezie, was however arrested by police from the homicide department of Force Headquarters Abuja and arraigned on June 31 before a Chief Magistrate Court, Ibusa.
Subsequently, the Chief Magistrate, Ferdinand Dike, gave an order that the suspect, Esewezie, be remanded in Ogwuashi-Uku Prisons until July 29 pending the advise from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
But while the court awaits the DPP advice on the case, Governor Okowa, it was learnt, allegedly ordered the police to immediately set free the suspect, though the claims couldn’t be independently verified .
Giving a graphic details of the development, wife of the deceased, Maria Onianwa, accused Governor Okowa of ordering the Delta state police command to set free the killer of her husband against the court orders of remanding the suspect in prison custody pending the DPP advise on the case.
“While Mr. Esewezie was arraigned and remanded in prison custody awaiting the July 29 day for DPP advice, with others still on the run, surprisingly, gentlemen of the press, we were informed some days ago that there were moves by top government functionaries, including the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to effect the release of Esewezie.
“Behold, just on the 8th day of July, the said Esewezie was released from prison custody following an alleged directive from the state governor, Dr. Okowa without recourse to the order given by a court of competent jurisdiction. It was also revealed to us that the governor allegedly stated that he cannot be a governor and allow Esewezie who was his campaign coordinator for Oshimili North council area to be in custody,” wife of the deceased alleged.
She also said: “It is a thing of regret that since the inception of the incumbent House of Assembly member, Mrs. Pat Ajidua, the area has noticed and recorded the killing of some persons. For record purposes, one Livy Ajufoh, a vibrant grassroot politician was killed over fallout of the last April elections, also a cousin to my slain husband, and others also died in the circumstance.”
Onianwa appealed to the media, human right groups and social activists to help carry the family’s cry for justice to the doorstep of the authorities.
Meanwhile, youths from the 10 quarters of Ibusa and the leadership of Ibusa Community Development Union, (ICDU), an apex body of all indigenes of Ibusa at home and in Diaspora, has also petitioned the Inspector General of Police, IG, Mr. Solomon Arase, urging him to ensure the immediate arrest and prosecution of all those found culpable in the case.
The youths alleged that the state police were bias in handling the case particularly with no arrest of suspects and allowing all those fingered in the incident to go scot free.
ICDU, specifically called on the immediate past Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ezeoba (rtd), Chief Peter Okocha, Prof. Pat Utomi, Mrs. Akpan and the former adviser to the former President Goodluck Jonathan, Prof. Nwanze Okidegbe, who are indigenes of Ibusa to intervene in the matter.
Spokesman of the body, worldwide, Patrick Agetue on behalf of the community expressed concern over the delay in bringing the culprits to book.
