•••Soludo Vows Decisive Action Against Criminal Elements
••• House Demand Replacement of Deceased Lawmaker With Widow
By John Ugo, Awka
It was a grieving moment as the body of the lawmaker representing Aguata state constituency 2 in the Anambra’ State House of Assembly Mr Okechukwu Okoye was on Tuesday brought and laid in state before house.
This is as the house muted the idea of drafting Mrs Ngozi Okoye, widow of the departed lawmaker to replace his vacant seat in the hallowed chamber.
Also, Governor Charles Soludo reiterated the commitment of his governement to deal with issues of insecurity across the state.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Onyeka Ibezim, Soludo said there is no safe place for bandits .
“We are not sleeping until we clear our state of criminals and already we are winning this war against insecurity and everywhere they are we shall continue to hunt them down and we are combing brushes to get them and they will all be brought to book; he said.
The late Okechukwu was kidnapped and beheaded by unknown gunmen who also killed his personal assistant.
Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon Uchenna Okafor broke down in years as the lawmakers held a valedictory session in honour of the departed lawmaker.
This is as family members of the deceased in attendance during the session demanded for justice over the manner the lawmaker was murdered.
Members of the Catholic church choir of Aguata were on ground with rendition of the dirge and other songs to bid the slain legislator farewell.
The lawmakers in a resolution urged the state government and other relevant agencies to arrest and prosecute those behind the dastardly act.
They vowed to do all within the law to ensure that justice is done for the soul of their colleague.
Speaker Uchenna Okafor said this is one killing too many and we cannot continue like this in our state and we all know that is not in the character of Anambra people and indeed Igbo people to shed blood.
Majority leader of the house, Mr Nnamdi Okafor had indicated the possibility of Mrs. Okoye replacing her husband in the house when he moved a motion on the floor of the Assembly that his widow be used to replace her husband.
He said that late Okey Okoye remained the 30th member of the House .
Also, Minority leader of the house, Mr Onyebuchi Offor in a motion laid a curse on the killers of the deceases.
According to the lawmakers, the killers of late Okechukwu would not hear the cry of new born babies in their homes
“This is evil and we are laying a curse on the people that killed this young man and they will know no peace and they will not hear the cry of new born babies in their respective homes” Offor said.
An elder brother to late Okoye, Mr David Okoye gave a clue as to what happened to his younger brother alleging that he was assassinated.
“We thank the Anambra State House of Assembly and the Anambra State Government for all that they have done so far and we thank everyone for their support but we the family members are demanding for justice over the death of our brother because he was killed for nothing after the ransom of N15 million was paid and yet they killed him,” he stated.
He said, “There must be justice because our brother was assassinated for whatever reason they have but we insist that they must be brought to book to face justice.”
Mr Okey Aronu who had represented Aguata 2 Constituency spoke on behalf of ex-lawmakers.
He noted that membership of the state Assembly is not a money spinner to warrant Okoye’s kidnap and consequent killing.
He described the deceased lawmaker as a good Christian who led a simple and unassuming life style to the admiration of all and sundry.
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
