By Kamsi Anayo
Three policemen attached to the Police Area Command, Onitsha, Anambra state, have been detained at the state police headquarters, Awka, for allegedly killing a father of three, Mr Chibueze Samuel Nwakor.
The deceased who lived at No. 15F Haruna St. Odoakpu/Sokoto Road Junction, Onitsha was allegedly killed by the trio on Oct. 13 at about 6pm.
The Spokesman of the state police command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, while confirming the incident told our Correspondent that the matter is already under investigation.
“Yes, I am aware of it. The case is under investigation, when we conclude investigation, is when I can authoritatively speak,” he said.
Meanwhile, the counsel to the deceased family, Barr. Anayo Emejue, said that the victim was shot dead on the faithful day without any provocation by three policemen led by one Jude Utazi.
“We were told that the three policemen, attached to Onitsha Police Area Command have been detained at Awka, but when we got to Awka we saw them moving freely on the streets.
“This was a father of three who hailed from Owerre-Ezukala, Orumba South Local Government Area of the state, but he lived with his family at No. 15F Haruna St. close to Sokoto Road junction, Onitsha, where he does business.
“He did not commit any offence. It was just that he refused to answer their questions and he was shot by trigger-happy policemen and they jumped into their ash coloured commuter Hiace van and zoomed off.
“The victim was rushed by his neighbours and friends to White Chapel Hospital, Onitsha where the doctors later referred him to New Hope Hospital, Onitsha and because of the severity of the bullet wounds he sustained he died before he could receive medical attention, thereby leaving his wife and three children to their fate.
“This is not even a case of torture or assault on the victim, not a case of trespass to the person but wilful murder of a citizen without any justification or provocation.
“The wife of the victim wants the Nigerian Police to explain to her why she was forced into widowhood without notice,” the counsel explained.
In a petition to the Acting Inspector General of Police, Zone 13, the wife of the deceased, Mrs Dorcas Nwakor and step-brother to the deceased, Obinna Nwakor, through their counsel, said the accused policemen, led by one Jude Utazi, killed the deceased for allegedly refusing to answer questions put to him.
The petition was copied to the, Commissioner of Police Anambra, State, Director of DSS, State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Abuja, The Director, National Human Rights Commission Abuja, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, among others.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, CIC, Awka, Mr Akin FA korede, in a letter to the counsel to the bereaved family, urged him to be physically present for the autopsy of the deceased billed for 12pm on Tuesday at St. Charles Borromeo Specialist hospital morque, Onitsha.
The letter from the Deputy Commissioner reads in part : “Investigation Activities. Notification of autopsy invitation to witness the autopsy of late Mr Chibueze Samuel Nwakor, of No. 15F Haruna St. Odoakpu Onitsha, murdered on 13/09/2023, post mortem examination to likely cause of death will be conducted on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023 by 12pm at St. Charles Borromeo hospital mortuary.
“Accordingly you are please invited to be physically present at the venue as a witness to the post mortem examination. If for any reason you cannot be present, nominate appropriate person to represent you,”
