Posted by By BIYI ADEGOROYE on
One piece of land in an Imo State village has claimed one life, sent one other to hospital with three severed fingers and is threatening to claim even more. Surprisingly, the local police formation that is said to have received no fewer than two reports on the matter is sitting and watching.
One piece of land in an Imo State village has claimed one life, sent one other to hospital with three severed fingers and is threatening to claim even more. Surprisingly, the local police formation that is said to have received no fewer than two reports on the matter is sitting and watching.
The only person it arrested in connection with the murder and attempted murder was released almost as soon as he was arrested, as he he said to be connected men of power, namely: a magistrate, a member of the house of assembly, a traditional ruler and a handful of rich traders.
The land is said to belong to a widow who has obtained a court injunction stopping work on a storey building which one of the alleged land grabbers has started to erect on the controversial land. But while the court case drags, the widow's family allege that her opponents have decided to take the law into their own hands.
A magistrate serving in the Imo State Judiciary and four others have been interrogated by the police at the Zonal Command, Umuahia over alleged murder of one undergraduate, Obinna Duruke and attack on a widow in a land tussle.
The incident occurred recently at Umuokwara-Orji, Umuduru in Isiala Mbano local government area when a gang of men allegedly acting on the orders of the magistrate unleashed terror on Mrs. Felicia Oduoma, a widow, chopping off three of her fingers and leaving her for dead.
In a seeming continuation of the attack, Obinna Duruke, then a final year Banking and Finance student of the Imo State University, who was returning home to pick up his fees and feeding money was beaten black and blue on the way. He eventually died in a hospital as a result of multiple injuries received during the attack. The complainants in the matter predicated their suspicion on the earlier threat on the lives of members of their Oduoma family and the fact that the assailants gathered at the magistrate's house after the incident, rejoicing that the ‘mission' had been accomplished.
Genesis of the mayhem
In a petition, titled RE: CRY FOR JUSTICE, sent to the Inspector-General of Police, the Umuobiehie family alleged that the magistrate and some top members of the village held a meeting sometime in February plotting an attack on any member of the family who stood on their way.
From all indications, it seems there was a vendetta and existing court dispute between the magistrate and the Umuobiehie family. Details of the dispute still remain scanty, but the petition claimed that the alleged plot began after a court session in February. On the basis of this and a threat to the lives of the family members, a report was made at the Mbano Police Station leading to the arrest of one of the suspects who was later taken on bail by a proxy of the magistrate.
Police react
A top police officer at the Zonal CID, confirmed that the magistrate had made statements to them, wherein he denied any involvement in the attack. He, however, acknowledged a subsisting dispute between him and the family in question. The officer also confirmed the arrest of some confessed suspects on the matter , stating that 'we are working from the known into the unknown (the culpability of the magistrate)"
In a telephone interview, Imo State Commissioner of Police, Hezekiah Dimka, from whose command the case was transferred to Umuahia after alleged sordid handling at the Isiala Mbano Divisional Headquarters, said he was not aware of the matter. He added that the ZCID who are currently investigating the case are in best position to speak on it.
AIG Zone 9, Umuahia, Adewole Ajakaiye said he could not give the details of the matter now, but asked our reporter to call back later when he was expected to have been briefed by the detectives.
Family seeks justice
Disturbed by the manner of handling the 'pre-meditated, unprovoked and heinous murder and attempted murder" so far, the Umuobiehie family based in Abuja has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police requesting thorough investigations and prosecution of the suspects. They also want the magistrate and his cohorts be called to order and made to respect the law.
According to their petition, even if the local police division could not find enough evidence to charge the suspects to court for murder and attempted murder, the case of illegal possession, and use, of dangerous weapons was worth exploring.
They are seeking that the Umubiehie people be given security as threats to their lives and property by the magistrate and his group were becoming very discomforting.
The petiton also wants the IGP to investigate the continued intimidating presence at odd hours of a certain car with tinted glasses and concealed number plate, occupied by mean-looking persons in their community. The petitioners say their presence has raised greater fear that potential assassins are left to freely roam the village patiently waiting for thei targets.