Posted by By NWABUEZE OKONKWO, Onitsha on
No fewer than 11 persons are now chatting with men of the Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB), Awka, Anambra State for allegedly threatening the life of one Mr. Allivinus Obi as well as attempting to establish another shrine similar to that of Okija at Uli community in Ihiala Local Government Area of the State..
No fewer than 11 persons are now chatting with men of the Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB), Awka, Anambra State for allegedly threatening the life of one Mr. Allivinus Obi as well as attempting to establish another shrine similar to that of Okija at Uli community in Ihiala Local Government Area of the State..
The suspects are Sabastime Udeh, Adol Obi (Chief Priest) Amauche Mark, Ezebele Chukwunyerenwa, Mmuorokwu Okparaeke, Ndegbe Uwaogaranya, Emmanuel Nnaeto, Orusakwe Ezeruo, Ositadimma Ezubekam, Pius Okafor and Akabuogu Mmadubuobi.
The interrogation by the police, according to a source, stemmed from petition written by counsel to Allivinus Obi (complainant), B.C. Madu Eesq, to the state commissioner of police.
In the petition, dated December 14, 2004 and copied to the Inspector General of Police (I.G.P.) and the Assistant Inspector General of Police (A.I.G) Zone 9, Umuahia, the complainant said that the suspects had concluded arrangements with most of the displaced priests of the notorious Okija shrine to use the Ogwugwu Anunu Shrine at Uli as their new location.
The petition further allege that the complainant is desiring to build a house and desired to clear a shrine "Ogwugwu Anunu" Shrine located in his father's land which had been a source of worry, concern and embarrassment to him, as an ardent Christian.
The consultations with his elder brothers, got their approval to clear the evil shrine if he had the faith.
The complainant stated that apart from inheriting the portion of the land and wanting to develop it for personal use, he would as well not want the suspects to use the land for what he termed as their usual dubious but lucrative business as obtained in Okija Shrine.
He stated that having vowed to stop him either by hook or crook from entering the Shrine, the suspects ganged up against him, armed with guns, arrows, matchetes and other dangerous attempted to kill him as a sacrifice to appease the gods for cutting the oldest tree in the evil Shrine on December 4, 2004.
The complainant further stated that when the suspects could not lay their hands on him, they held a meeting wherein they ostracized and banished him from entering his compound.
He therefore implored the police chief to use his good offices to investigate the matter and to disarm the blood-thirsty priests and their cronies who are out to spill innocent blood, adding, "but more importantly, Sir, to restore our client to his house because the battle should be between our client and the gods and nobody else."
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Kolapo Shofoluwe (ASP), who spoke to newsmen in a telephone interview, said he was yet to receive a signal to that effect, adding that he would make necessary inquiries from the appropriate quarters to ascertain the authenticity of the matter.
However, a Senior Police Officer who commented on the matter on condition of anonymity, confirmed that although the suspects have been rounded up, there are moves by both parties to resolve their differences amicably.