Hundreds of Oruku indigenes, both young and old on Monday stormed the Enugu State Government House and the House of Assembly premises in protest of the killing of their traditional ruler, Igwe Emmanuel Mbah.
The peaceful protesters besieged the main entrance to the Government House with a demand that the police be not included in the judicial commission of inquiry set up by the state government.
The protesters alleged police complicity in the murder of their royal father, Igwe Emma Mba on Saturday 26th December, 2020.
Presenting their grievances, Ikenna Martin Nwatu, Chairman of Oruku Caretaker Committee, appealed to the Chief of Staff, Government House, Enugu, Dr Festus Uzo, who received them on behalf of Governor Ugwuanyi, to leave no stone unturned and fish out the killers of their ruler.
“We, the people of Oruku are begging you to assist us in getting justice for Igwe Emmanuel Mbah who was brutally murdered. We do not trust the police investigation in this matter.
“We plead with you to use your good office to ensure that the Department of Security Service (DSS) is involved in the investigation so that justice will prevail.
“We are living in fear as the killing of our traditional ruler shows that nobody is safe in our community anymore,’ Nwatu said.
The Chairman further revealed that the current crisis is not brewed externally as in the past war between Oruku and Umuode communities but an internal war within the community; He maintained that leadership crisis was largely responsible for the crisis, stressing that some notable figures were behind the killing of their traditional ruler.
“Our houses and other valuable properties are burnt and nobody is talking. It is sponsored by some of our public figures who feel they must rule us at all cost.” Nwatu reiterated.
In his response, the Chief of Staff commended the villagers for being peaceful in their demonstration.
Uzo however pleaded with the protesters to remain calm and give the judicial commission of inquiry set up by the state government benefit of doubt.
The Chief of Staff while promising to relay their fears to the Governor debunked the view of police involvement in the panel set up by the state government.
“I will convey your message to our Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and I am very optimistic that he will listen to your demand.
“However, I have to correct an impression; the police is not part of the judicial commission. The police are doing their own independent investigation while the DSS are also doing theirs,” the Chief of Staff revealed.
After the address, the Oruku protesters marched to Enugu State House of Assembly Complex where they also reeled out their sole demand; no police involvement in the investigation.
Dr Udaya, Clerk of the Enugu State House of Assembly having received in audience the protesters promised to convey their message to the Speaker, Edward Ubosi as the House was not in session.
Recall that because of the attendant threats of further breakdown of law and order and breach of the peace in the area and in the overriding interest of the public welfare and in pursuant to Section 4(1) of the Commission of Inquiry Law, Cap. 24, Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004, the Judicial commission of inquiry was set up headed by Justice Harold Eya to ascertain the number of persons killed or injured, identify persons, group or institutions who either by acts or omissions were directly or indirectly involved in, or sponsored the crisis, and investigate any other matter(s) that may come to the knowledge of the Panel in the course of the inquiry, not covered in these terms of reference.
Other area of reference for the commission are to make recommendations regarding persons whom the Panel finds culpable and/or blameworthy in connection with the crisis, and generally make recommendations, in the light of its findings, on how to prevent similar crisis in future and make other recommendations which the panel may consider appropriate in view of its findings.
Members of the panel inaugurated on Friday, at the Government House, Enugu are HRH Igwe Amb. Lawrence Agubuzu; Prof. Den Chris Onah; Barr. Anthony Ogbu; Dr. Mrs. Chinwe Onah; Dr. Godwin Anigbo (Secretary) and Barr. Paschal Okoloagu (Counsel for the Commission).
