…Released Murder suspect celebrates freedom
80 per cent of Onitsha correctional centre inmates were innocent of the charges against them but were being incarcerated on trump up charges.
The lawmaker representing Onitsha North constituency in Anambra State Assembly, Hon. Edward Ibuzor, made the observation on Sunday at the thanksgiven/celebration of freedom, organised by a freed murder suspect, Wilfred Ezike Mgbiligba.
He blamed the law enforcement agencies for not doing thorough investigations before sending suspects to the correctional centres.
“The problem is the police, they do not finish investigation especially when an alibi is involved unlike the judiciary.
“For three years or there about Mgbiligba has been on awaiting trial, I visited him more than ten times. There should be synergy between the police and the judiciary for accelerated hearing of cases.
“The people in prison are part of us and that place is my constituency. The police who are biased put up unbailable trump up charges against most of the inmates so that they will be incarcerated in the correctional centre, it is unfortunate,” Ibuzor said.
Speaking, the celebrant, Mgbiligba, who was flanked by his wife, Oluchi Grace Ezike and siblings, said that, “I give all glory to God, I am happy to come out of what I don’t know about. I pray God to continue to deliver me from those evil forces.
“Judge even said it in his judgment that I was roped in. I commend the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, His Grace, Most Rev Dr. Valerian Okeke, the prison chaplain, inmates and Hon. Ibuzor, for their assistance to the inmates.
The Archbishop has made Onitsha prison better than it was before in all ramifications.
“The lawmaker has repeatedly been visiting us and slaughtering cows for us and feed us with bags of rice. My prayer is that the in-coming Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo will better the Welfare of Anambra people. He will continue from where the out-going Gov. Willie Obiano will stop”.
Also speaking, the chairman of the event, comrade Peter Okala, said that “God always delivered His people from bondage and suffering.”
“What we are witnessing today is celebration of freedom. Our brother was incarcerated for about four years based on trump up charges until God through the law set him free. You can see that the occasion is filled to capacity with Mgbiligba’s admirers and well-wishers.
“This goes to tell you that his hands are clean if not nobody will be here. I urge him not to be deterred by his incarceration to discontinue his humanitarian services to God and man,”.
In their own contribution, the Tricycle Drivers Welfare Association, led by Emeka Ohaekelem, thanked God for the freedom restored to Mgbiligba.
“We are happy that we are here to celebrate freedom with him. Those that perpetrated this incarceration will not go unpunished, the Bible made us to Know this” , he stated.
Recall that an Onitsha High court, Presided over by Justice S.N. Odili, discharged and acquitted three persons, Wilfred Ezike Mgbiligba, Chosom Amakaeze and Paul Anozie and sentenced one Sunday Emenike to 21 years in jail for the murder of one Akachukwu Ezebuilo.
The four who were arraigned on a four-count charge of conspiracy and murder were during the trial accused of the murder of Akachukwu Ezebuilo at No. 1, Zik’s Avenue, Fegge Onitsha on 10th September 2018.
According to the charge they were arraigned on a two count charge of conspiracy and murder of Akachukwu Ezebuilo and another two -count charge of conspiracy and attempted murder of Nnamdi Obumse.
The four had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges claiming that they were not at the scene of the incident on the fateful day.
Delivering judgment, Justice Odili said the trio of Wilfred Ezike Mgbiligba, Chisom Amakaeze and Paul Anozie, proved beyond reasonable doubt that they were not involved and present in the murder of the deceased on the day in question.
He however did not exonerate Sunday Emenike from involvement in the conspiracy and attempted murder of Nnamdi Obumse.
He said that from Sunday Emenike’s defence statement was not able to convince the court of non involvement.
“”I am convinced from what he told the court that he was involved in the conspiracy and attempted murder of Nnamdi Obumse”..
“It has been proved beyond reasonable doubt that he was involved and I hereby sentence him to four years imprisonment for conspiracy and 21 years for attempted murder of Nnamdi Obumse. The sentences are to run concurrently.”
