Days to the commencement of the trial of 15 suspects over the killing of four persons in two Edda Communities in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi Stat on May 26, 2023, there is general apprehension in the two affected communities following rumours that the suspects may be released on the orders of the Governor of Ebonyi State Engr. David Nweze Umahi.
A prominent Community Leader from Ekoli Edda who spoke to this correspondent on condition of anonymity, said the people will not be surprised if the trial of the suspects behind the killing of the four persons is discontinued because some people are already boasting about their connections in high places.
However, the people of the area have vowed that justice must be done this time around.
They want the culprits – those who had a hand in the gruesome murder of the four persons during the last Christmas and New Year festivities in Edda Clan – to face trial so as to ensure that justice is done.
Three persons were murdered in cold blood in Ekoli Edda on 26th December, 2022 following the vicious attack allegedly launched on the convoy of the Ebonyi State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha.
Those killed in Ekoli were Essien Kalu Egwu, Emeka Oji and the escort commander of the APC Chairman, Inspector Festus Akpan.
The crisis in Ekoli had a spillover effect in Amoso Edda on 1st January, 2023 when a 7-month pregnant woman, Mrs. Urenma Kalu Çhima was also killed in the night of the first day of the new year.
Following Police investigations, arrests were made and fifteen persons were charged to Court and remanded in custody at the Abakaliki Correctional Centre.
Among those standing trial for the gruesome murder of Mrs. Urenwa Kalu Chima are namely: Okechukwu Ogbuagu, a former Coordinator of Edda East Development Centre, Kenneth Agha Okoro (alias Mukoro), Azubuike Okorie (alias Zino), Offorkansi Chinedu and Emeka Nwafor.
The suspects were charged with murder, unlawful possession of firearms, armed robbery, malicious damage and arson. As the resumption of Court proceedings gets nearer the adjourned date of 26th May, 2023, there is palpable tension in the Community following rumours that arrangements have been finalized for the suspects to be released by the outgoing Gov. Umahi.
A reliable source from the area hinted that the people were used to such practices in the past where these same hardened criminals were taken to Court but were released midway without allowing the trial to go the whole hog.
Therefore, “People are now worried. The victims have not been buried. If these suspects are released like before, nobody is safe in this community and the youths are getting more and more restive. The mayhem may repeat itself”.
The suspicion and worry of the people is also against the backdrop that some suspects who were standing trial for the gruesome murder of Kelechi Amos Irem of Ogwuma Edda on 31st July, 2021 were unceremoniously released half – way into the trial while no arrest whatsoever was made in respect of those who killed Agha Ibeze at Nkagbogo Ekoli Edda in October, 2020 whereas his killers have been enjoying their freedom, walking freely in the community unmolested.
However, the fresh alarm got heightened following the release of one of the detained suspects, Okechukwu Ogbuagu, the former Coordinator of Edda East Development Centre who was left off the hook on 15 March, 2023 and allowed to take part in the Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections held on 18th March, 2023, allegedly on the orders of Gov Umahi and he is still walking about free.
People are saying that Okechukwu should be taken back to detention like the others and that they will not tolerate the release of anybody until justice is done in the Community.