The family of one elder Anibueze Nnadi Ozor, an indigene of Enugu State, whose house was demolished in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of the state has again raised the alarm over the police’s manner of handling the case.
Ozor, a 68-year-old blind man, is without a wife and children.
Earlier reported over the weekend that the lawyer to the victim, Barr Ejike Ugwu, had also alleged that the police were not showing due diligence in investigating the case.
Similarly, the family are now calling on the Enugu State Government and the Inspector General of Police to come to their aid.
At a press briefing in the area on Wednesday, Prof Uchenna K. Ezemagu, who spoke on behalf of the family, expressed concern that the police officers handling the matter had denied the victim access to justice.
Ezemagu recalled that sometime in 2020, Engr. Ezemagu Okechukwu Caleb relative to Elder Anibueze Nnadi decided to give him a befitting shelter and by August 2021, he was able to build a 2-bedroom flat and also provided a caregiver for him.
“The subsequent rebuilding was jointly carried out by the Ezemagus”, he said, alleging that the suspended traditional ruler of the community, Mr. Christopher Okwor was behind the action.
“Mr. Christopher Okwor waited for the house to be completed before he demolished it.
“Luckily, one Kenechukwu Ani was arrested at the scene of and at the Enugu Police Headquarters and FCID, he confessed to the following: that he was part of the people who demolished the house.
“That they are fully armed; that they are working for Mr. Christopher Okwor and the children were part of the operation,” he alleged.
He added that the National Commission for Persons with Disability waded into the matter and the team was hell bent in not doing justice.
“We decided to rebuild the house again and it was also demolished by the same persons.
“A letter dated 19/03/2024, through our lawyer – Ejike Ugwu & Associates, we complained bitterly over the officer’s compromise, shady and reckless investigation and the DIG, FCIID assigned it to a new team under the CP Admin Section.
“The new team arrived Enugu on the 6/05/2024, on the 8/05/2024, the house the fourth time was demolished, fortunately, one the principal suspect – Uzochukwu Okwor was arrested on the 09/05/2024 and moved to Abuja at about 7 pm same day.
“By the next day around 12 noon, they were plans to release the suspect bail, recall his allegation bothers on Unlawful Possession of Firearms, Malicious Damage to Dwelling House, Cult Activities and Attempted Murder and trying to fix date for Parties meeting which our lawyer vehemently objected to.
“The lead IPO, ASP Titus John quoting the former DPO of Ogbede Police Station said that the issue is about chieftaincy tussle and land dispute.
“Based on the above, the team touched down on Enugu Sunday 12/05/2024; we have paid for a vehicle that will take them for investigation but we were informed that their office called them not to go out because of the phasing out sit at home.
“The office was quite aware of that when they released them to come on Sunday.
“That said, at about 1:40pm of that same Monday, while we were brainstorming on how to get the suspects, ASP Titus John called the officers and instructed on:
“Repeated that they should not go anywhere that Monday; that they are to come back the next day 14/05/2025; that no visit to the scene; that they should invite the complainants for interview on 15/05/2024
“Our lawyer sent a message to ASP Titus John asking him to allow the officers on ground to conduct investigation but he is yet to respond to the message.
“Our counsel has written to the DIG, FCIID to register some of these reservations.
“Midnight 14/05/2024, the residence of Elder Anibueze Nnadi was attacked with the hoodlums/cultist shooting sporadically.
“Some of our people came out and identified the culprits but the officers were asked not to visit the scene or arrest the perpetrators.
“It is unfortunate that ASP Titus John insisted that no suspect should be arrested and no visit to the scene and as we address you, the officers have left Enugu without effecting any arrest acting on the instruction of ASP Titus John.
“What may be the reason to defer the visit to the scene when all the evidence must have been destroyed? What is the reason why the Police are shying away from arresting suspects.
“Must our oppressors kill one of us before proper investigation can be conducted.
“The shift of date of interview was as a result of Mr. Christopher Okwor’s excuse that he will not be able to make it because our opinion means nothing.
“Is it appropriate for Police to defer arrest of principal suspects and visit the scene till interview is conducted.
“We moved the Elder Anibueze Nnadi to Enugu from Aku for his statement to be taken and those who testified seeing the hoodlums attacking and shooting last Monday night.
“We are calling on Nigerians to hear our cry, we are calling on the IGP and DIG FCIID to please come to our aid.
“We are civilised, we cannot go low to resort to self-help but we are seeking for justice.
“We call on the Enugu State Government to intervene and call the suspended Traditional Ruler and children to order, release the report of the investigative panel and help call Nigeria Police to do justice to the helpless aged blind man which is in tandem with the reasons for the suspension of the traditional ruler.
“The desperation expressed by suspended traditional rulers and children cannot be overlooked,” the family lamented.
