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By IKhili Ebalu, Benin City
The people of Ikhuen – Obo Community, Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Edo State have cried out seeking the quick intervention of the Inspector – General of Police, Edo State Government and all other relevant authorities in alleged subversion of Justice.
Chief Priest Efosa Aighobahi and Peter Eze Omorowa on behalf of Ikhuen – Obo Community in a petition by their Solicitors , Trinity Chambers’ made series of criminal allegations, including murder against one ‘Clement Guobadia and his gang’.
Consequently, Clement Guobadia and two members of his gang were arrested by operatives of the Edo State Police Command, the petition said.
“The confession of the suspects to the Police implicated some other persons who are providing the dangerous weapons including AK47 with which they carry out their criminal operations”.
On reliable information that the suspects’ cronies were trying to influence outcome of investigation, the people wrote another petition to Force CID, Alagbon, Lagos (Homicide Section) .Lagos took over the investigation on 29 July, 2022 and were making appreciable progress, it was said.
But bent on obstructing the wheel of Justice, the suspects’ cronies again influenced transfer of the investigation to Force CID, Abuja, on August 29, 2022 and ever since, progress on the investigation has been stalled without any appreciable progress.
“It appears that the obnoxious intention of the allies of the suspects is to hinder and subvert the smooth investigation of the matter at Force CID (Alagbon).”
Though, the suspects confessed to be in possession of dangerous weapons, no attempt has been made to recover these arms, the petitioners laments.
Even as attempt has not been made to arrest cronies of the suspects implicated by their confessional statements and reliable evidence against them, they added.
The petitioners noted, that the prevailing situation is a sharp contrast to when Lagos was handling the investigation making appreciable progress and were already at the verge of going to recover the arms and ammunition including AK47. Also, arrest persons implicated in the confessional statements of the suspects.
Expressing more worries, the petitioners pointed out that there was no basis from the beginning to had transferred the investigation from CID (Alagbon) to Force CID, Abuja as both are of equal status.
“The reason for the mischievous efforts of the cronies of the suspects in manipulating the transfer of the case from Force CID, Alagbon to Abuja is to prevent their arrest having been implicated.”
Hence, the petitioners say they have no faith in Force CID, Abuja to do justice in investigation of the matter.
They therefore passionately appeal, that the Inspector – general of Police, Edo State Government, and all other relevant authorities should quickly intervene to get the right justice the matter deserves.
“We therefore urge Sir, to use your good office to prevail on this matter, so as to attain the appropriate Justice that this matter deserves.
“Our Clients have suffered a lot of damages and calamity as a result of the criminal activities of the suspects.”
The Petition dated 16 September, 22 was signed by Emmanuel C. Okonkwo Esq. and copied: The Hon. Minister of Interior, and Chairman, Police Service Commission, Abuja.
