Prince Ned Nwoko. |
Some
victims of the terrorism in Idumuje-Ugboko, Delta State, which took place
on May 18, 2017 have cried out for justice.
The
mayhem was allegedly carried out by Prince Chukwunonso Justin Nwoko, his
financiers and suspected gang members.
The
victims expressed their grievances and demanded for justice in a four-page
petition entitled; "Idumuje Ugboko Terrorism, The Victims Cry Out: We Want
Justice Not Justin."
The
petition was co-signed on 8th May, 2020 on behalf of all the 29 victims of the
terrorism in Idumuje-Ugboko by nine prominent people in the town.
They
include Iyase of Idumuje-Ugboko, Chief Chris Ogwu, Odogwu of Idumuje-Ugboko,
Chief Edemolu, wife of the late Obi Albert Nwoko, Queen Faith Okwukwe Nwoko,
Prince Chukwuma Nwoko (AC) and Prince Uche Appear Nwoko.
The
rest are Mr. Chisindi Moses, Ms Gladys Kogwuonye, Mr. Donatus Dibie and Mr.
Bennet Okoh
They
stated in the petition, which was made available to journalists over the
weekend, that eleven persons among the attackers have since been charged to
court with pleadings from the four (4) apprehended so far.
It
was added that a bench warrant has also been issued on the eleven so far
charged, "especially the seven key tormentors, including Prince
Chukwunonso Justin Nwoko, the gang Leader, Prince Dennis Uwadiegwu Nwoko and
Prince Frederick Ejimofor Nwoko, who are currently at large."
While
pleading with the authorities to ensure speedy justice, the petitioners
said that "some of those involved either by financing or securing
the services of bandits outside our community should be prosecuted."
Those
involved, according to the petitioners, include Mr. Godwin Akaba Aniemeke
(a.k.a Deputy), who they said on the instructions of Prince Chukwunonso Justin
Nwoko engaged the services of bandits from Agulere in Anambra State among the
foot-soldiers to terrorise them from 18-25 May, 2017 at Idumuje-Ugboko their
hometown.
"People
like Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie (MD Rainoil Nigeria Ltd.), one of the financiers of
Prince Chukwunonso Justin Nwoko and recently said to have attempted
compromising members of Aniocha North Traditional Rulers Council with an offer
of 1.5 M Naira using the Local Government Chairman to make them hurriedly sign
a recommendation to the Delta State Government for the recognition and issuance
of Staff of Office to Prince Chukwunonso Justin Nwoko as Obi of Idumuje-Ugboko.
A man, who is facing litany of criminal and civil cases before the court.
"Gabriel
Ogbechie particularly has been blackmailing and intimidating us, ministry of
justice and human rights commission. He is the key sponsor of the terrorists.
He is the one standing for bail or organising surety. He pays the lawyers of
the suspects.
"We
have evidence. We must also mention Felix Sunday Banye, Uche Aligbe, Prince
Willy Eziani Nwoko, Mr. Jerry Isichei, Prince Mbanefo Felix Nwoko, Mr. Daniel
Onyenachie Osakwe, Uche Nwoko Dibie and others who were not charged but
implicated by the suspects," the petition read.
They
traced the Genesis of the crisis in Idumuje-Ugboko to when Prince Chukwunonso
Justin Nwoko, who they said is a son of the King (Obi) "contrary to
customs and norms of Idumuje-Ugboko," allegedly appeared on the scene with
a letter dated 12th August, 2015 "purported to have been authored by the
King (Obi) feigning ignorance of all the activities leading to the allocation
of land for the establishment of a Golf Course and STARS University at
Idumuje-Ugboko."
The
petitioners said further that notable indigenes requested to consult with the
king to ascertain the authenticity of the letter, but that Prince Chukwunonso
Justin Nwoko and his agents used their closeness to the aged King to block
everybody, including the Principal Chiefs.
The
development, they stated, led to a petition dated 14th September to the
Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command by Prince Walters Eziashi, a
former President-General of the Community Development Union (2008-2012) to
investigate "the two letters purported to have been authored by the
King."
It
was added that the police did a diligent investigation and that on the 24th day
of February, 2016, Prince Chukwunonso Justin Nwoko, Ejimofor Nwoko, Richard
Obiajulu Nwoko and others were indicted.
"The
Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) recommended that the culprits be
prosecuted and they were accordingly charged before the Chief Magistrate Court
1, Asaba, Charge No. SMC/429C/2016.
"Prince
Chukwunonso Nwoko and others in January, 2016 approached the Issele-Uku High
Court to challenge the decisions of the community by suing Aniocha North Local
Government Council, Prince Ned Nwoko and Linas International, claiming that the
process of the land allocation was improper.
"On
the 18th of June, 2019, the Court, in a Ruling, awarded a cost against the
Claimants (Chukwunonso and others) to the 2nd and 3rd Defendants (Prince Ned
Nwoko and Linas International Ltd.) and the 1st Defendant's name was struck out
of the case.
"It
is also worthy of note that the 4th Claimant (Prince Edwin Izeonyeunor Nwoko)
in the said case withdrew from the case via an affidavit he deposed to at
Issele-Uku High Court claiming that he was deceived by Prince Chukwunonso
Justin Nwoko," and "that the king never permitted them to go to court
neither do they have a Power of Attorney to file the case on behalf of the Obi
nor Umu-omorhisi" they said.
They
added that Prince Richard Obiajulu Nwoko, Prince Ejimofor Nwoko, and Prince
Chukwunonso Justin Nwoko had written several petitions to the Inspector-General
of Police accusing Linas International Ltd, Prince Ned Nwoko, Chief Christopher
Ogwu, Prince Walters Eziashi, Kennedy Iloh and Bennet Odor among others of
harassment.
The
petitioners said further that the police arrested and interrogated the accused
and that after diligent investigations they were exonerated.
It
was stated in the petition that the King of Idumuje-Ugboko, HRM Obi Albert
Nwoko 111; JP, MON joined his ancestors on 6th February, 2017 under
questionable circumstances, which they said were still under investigation by
the police till date.
They
alleged that without recourse to the tradition and culture of the Idumuje clan
as embedded in the 1937 Intellectual Report by R.B Karr, Prince Chukwunonso,
Prince Richard, Ejimofor and Barr. Mbanefo buried the king same day (6/2/2017)
without the five principal chiefs present.
"Prince
Chukwunonso Justin also appointed himself king within an hour of the purported
burial, forcing a 90-year-old man from Atuma Village, one Mr. Odinfono, who
holds no traditional title to crown him. An abomination in Idumuje-Ugboko and
the entire Anioma land. The consequence is that it further polarised the
kingdom, no thanks to the criminality of Prince Chukwunonso and his cabal.
"Thereafter,
Prince Chukwunonso, the self-appointed king and his gang began their reign of
terror. He ostracised over 51 prominent persons in the community including
Prof. Prince Somayina Gabriel Nwoko (OON), a retired Professor of Agricultural
Economics, University of Ibadan and the Community Palace Secretary, who later
died under mysterious circumstances.
"During
the weird siege by Prince Chukwunonso Justin Nwoko and his cabal, attempts were
made by their thugs to set Hon. Prince Ned Nwoko's compound and the
proposed university site ablaze, but for the intervention of security agencies
drafted to the compound and environ," the petitioners wrote.
They
said further that the crime of these individuals was that they tried to
"redirect him and his gang from their acts of injustice, banditry and
terrorism."
It
was said further that anyone who is supporting the construction of the ongoing
STARS University, Idumuje-Ugboko is either ostracized or banished.
"We
are under siege and constant assault by Prince Nonso Nwoko and his militia and
wonder what he will do to his perceived opponents if ever he is made the
king," they wrote.
The
petitioners alleged that from May 18-25, 2017, Prince Chukwunonso Nwoko and his
gang, in a terrorist frenzy 'imported thugs armed with guns and other dangerous
weapons into Idumuje-Ugboko Kingdom and unleashed mayhem attacking different
homes, individuals and destroying properties.
"This
led to the murder in cold blood of a non-indigene motorcyclist, Cyprian Kumiolun,
a native of Benue State in front of Idumuje-Ugboko Palace and one Mr. Kennedy
Iloh, who was kidnapped and taken to the palace, where he was tortured to
death," they stated.
The
petitioners stressed that the assailants had nothing to do with the STARS
University land at Idumuje-Ugboko and that they did not own any interest in the
university and that neither did their families.
According
to the petitioners, majority of those they attacked had nothing to do with the
university land either, and that they were identified by the victims because
they did not hide their identities.
"They
were happy to be seen and appreciated by Nonso. They carried some of the
victims to the palace after destroying their homes," they said.
It
was revealed that the matters are in various courts including the case of
terrorism against the suspects in CHARGE NO. FHC/ABJ/11/19 instituted by the
Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja.
The
suspects in the case, they said include: Prince Chukwunonso Justin Nwoko,
Prince Frederick Ejimofor Nwoko, Prince Dennis Uwadiegwu Nwoko, Ndudi Chiejume,
Onwochei Agiliga Light, Raymond Omesiete, Adim Nwafor, Okey Ifejoku, Azuka Mukolu,
Omoye Esonye and Aikhomo Omezi.
It
was stated that a bench warrant was issued on 21st March, 2019 by the Federal
High Court, Abuja against the suspects for failure to appear in court
severally.
The
petitioners said that this explains "why the narrative of a particular individual on Social Media becomes objectionable, with his provocative and malicious lies about
the ongoing trial of those that terrorised us in 2017 can only incite more
violence in the community.
"How
can he continue to instigate violence and hatred from his hideout in America?
How can anyone in their right senses be asking that the charges against the
evil terrorists, who took us as easy and defenceless targets be dropped? We
demand his arrest because he is a dangerous accomplice to
murder and terrorism."
The
petitioners then stated that injustice to one is injustice to all.
"By
the United Nations Charter on fundamental Human Rights, which Nigeria is a
signatory to, we are entitled to protection under the law.
"We
are fighting for our rights of existence and survival challenged by
terrorism.
"We
say NO to threats and intimidation by reactionary forces of violence. We are
vulnerable victims of unprovoked attacks and unprecedented horror. We need the
law. We need JUSTICE Now!"
The petitioners
concluded.
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