The Edda clan, operating under the aegis of Edda Identity, in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, yesterday demanded that Usman Baba, the Inspector-General of Police, immediately transfer the case files of the murderers of Insp. Festus Akpan, two youths, and a pregnant woman who was seven months pregnant to Forces Headquarters Abuja for a thorough investigation. Other parties included Amnesty International and the Federal Ministry of Interior.
This was in response to claims made by the organization that Barr. Cletus Ofoke, the state’s attorney general and commissioner for justice, had shifted the case file for the suspects held by the police and court in an effort to liberate the murderers without consulting a court with the necessary jurisdiction.
Julius Oji (also known as Ochiri Edda), the convener of Edda Identity, a socio-cultural organization in the Afikpo South Council region, made this claim in a statement on Wednesday.
He asserts that “there is a grand scheme and arrangement by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ebonyi State, Cletus Ofoke, acting on the instructions of the Ebonyi State Government, to move the case file of these suspects and killers from the police and court authorities in the state, in an effort to release the suspects, without trial.
“We, the people of Edda, reject this action and request the Ministry of Interior, Amnesty International, the National Security Adviser, and Inspector-General of Police to take action.
The decision by the Ebonyi State Government to release these criminals from police custody without a trial or a formal arraignment in a court of competent jurisdiction is unpopular and unacceptable, and we, the people of Edda, protest this action.
“Their plan is to free these killers before the elections so they may keep on killing, but we, the people of Edda, reject this action since it goes against our common life and sense of peace. In order to ensure a fair trial and decision, we urge that this case and those of the accused be transferred to Forces Headquarters in Abuja.
Recall that between December 26, 2022, and January 1, 2023, it is believed that local hoodlums killed Insp. Akpan, two adolescents, and a pregnant mother.
As a result, Governor Umahi established a Panel of Inquiry to, among other things, ascertain the root reasons of the problem both far and close at hand.
Mr. Chooks Oko, Governor David Umahi’s Special Assistant for Media and Strategy, responded to the claim.
“This is absurd and humorous at the same time. What more do the police want, having previously informed everyone about the situation? You should definitely ask the police as I am unable to speak for them. Who is being used in elections?
“Really sounds stupid. How is it possible that an effective government, widely regarded as the greatest in the nation, would want to use criminals in its campaigns? Our work has already won the election for Ebonyi APC, so we don’t need to hire cheap labor to win it.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Cletus Ofoke, responded by saying he was unaware of any order from the Ebonyi State Government ordering the release of convicts.
Criminals will be subjected to the full force of the law. Such an order would never be issued by the Ebonyi State Government.
