Group Alleges Police Plan To Stop Murder Prosecution

The Abiriba Community in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State has alerted the authorities that detectives from the  Force Headquarters, Abuja, sent to investigate a murder case are on the verge of suppressing the on-going prosecution of those allegedly fingered in the incident.

Speaking to newsmen, leaders of the community said that four persons from the area were  apprehended and latter charged to court for culpability in the murder, but that investigation had revealed that detectives from Force Headquarters were wading into the matter with a view to ending the trial of the four accused persons.

The leadership of the Abiriba Communal Improvement Union (ACIM) told newsmen in Aba that “authoritative sources at the council headquarters in Umuahia confirmed that the Force Headquarters had ordered a withdrawal of the case from the court.”

The ACIU President, Ndukwe Elezuo explained that “three suspects were, arraigned on Wednesday August 5, 2009 at an Umuahia Chief Magistrate’s Court  in connection with the murder.”

However, he said since the matter was charged to court, there has been respite in the community as people were eagerly awaiting the outcome of the court, trial adding that tension was now rising because of the latest development coming from Abuja.

ACIU and the entire community are disturbed by the information that the Force Headquarters could issue such a directive for the withdrawal of murder case. We are completely opposed to it,” Elezue said wondering whose interest the police are trying to protect in the matter.

The suspects and others now at large were alleged to have conspired to kill the deceased namely, Ogba Obaii (m) Uchu Kalu (m) Acheji Gambo (m) and Oyiridiya Kalu (f) on September 3, 2009 at Amogudu, Abiriba.