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Extortion, Illegal Arrest and Kidnapping Fingered in Police Invasion on the Palace of Nnobi Monarch Governor Peter Obi and Nigerian Ambassador to Austria are "people of interest" |
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Africans In America News Watch |
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Failed attempt to arrest the monarch and police disorderly conduct at the palace Africans In America News Watch investigation reveals that when the police contingent arrived at the palace in the morning of January 3, 2009 and noticed the Catholic Eucharistic Mass officiated by about 30 priests (including a Vicar and a Monsignor, representatives of the Bishops of Nnewi and Onitsha Arch-Diocese), and 5 nuns was in progress. About 4 police officers broke all decency and protocol by marching straight to the priests at the alter and rudely ordered them to stop the mass at gun point, warning the priests that they were ready to take drastic actions if they continue.
The monarch told them to go and that he will go and see His Excellency when the function is over, but the policeman insisted that he will go with them immediately. The high-chiefs surrounding the monarch intervened and asked the policeman how he expects His Royal Highness to leave the mass and all the large assembly of people in the palace to follow them. Unsatisfied by the response he received from the monarch, the policeman contacted someone through his cell phone, and among other things stated, “He refused to follow us, he is resisting arrest.” The police then called for more reinforcement and other batches from various anti-crime/anti-robbery units in the area started descending on the palace. The units and formations that went to the palace include Mobile Units (MOPOL) from Awka, Nnobi and Nnewi. Names of police commanders that consistently come up in our investigation include: Mr. Daniel Enagbere, DPO Nnobi Police Station; Mr. Idowu Salami, Area Command Awka, and O/C Mobile Unit, Nnewi. While the commotion was going on, the President General of Nnobi Welfare Organization (the town union which is the 4th Tier in Nigerian government structure), Chief, Sir, Dr. Cosmas Omenugha (Ichie Obama), a Polish-trained medical doctor noticing what was going on took the microphone and alerted the congregation through public address system. The masses them surrounded the monarch in protest against the police assault. The masses told the police to arrest all of them if they must arrest their ruler and to kill of them if they want to kill their monarch. According to reports, some policemen then went outside the palace compound and mounted barricades stopping people from going to the palace, and telling them to go home, while another batch stayed in the palace compound interrupting the religious mass and urging the priests and the Master of Ceremony to rush the program, or they will take drastic actions. The police were reportedly frightening and intimidating the congregation by cocking and un-cocking their rifles, pointing their rifles at various directions to show readiness for ‘actions’, wielding horse-whips and fiddling with cans of tear gas. Towards afternoon time the mass ended and more people started trooping to the palace to pay homage to the monarch. A lot of people got frightened on seeing the police barricades on the road leading to the palace and seeing the police cocking and un-cocking their rifles, pointing their rifles at them and announcing their readiness to shoot them, wielding and beating people with horse-whips. People kept running away, confused at what was going on. Eventually words of what happened during the mass service inside the palace got out to the crowd outside the barricades, and realizing that police were working for the enemies of progress in the town to spoil the event at the palace, a lot of people entered the bushes and crawled through the bushes as detour to the palace. Some women gave horrific account of what the police did to them when they chased them inside the bushes. As time went-by, more and more people were continuously trooping to the palace and on sighting traditional masquerades and dancing troupes approaching with music and songs, the police threw suffocating tear gas at them. It was pandemonium because most of the village people have not seen tear gas before, nor felt it. Violation of High Court Order: Hooliganism and incitement thrives According to reports, while the police lay siege on the route to the palace, a group of people assembled at one of the local community centers undisturbed and happy at police actions at the palace. A man identified to be an individual that had tried unsuccessfully to unseat Igwe Nicholas Obi reportedly introduced himself to reporters as follows, “I am Chief Ebubechukwu Etudo, Ichie Ohamadike awaiting recognition as Igwe Nnobi”. According to reports, he went on to say, “Nnobi has no Igwe”. Explaining further, he said, “An Igwe is a recognized traditional ruler who is also an indigene of his town and who must have good reputation and who must not be a public servant. “Under section 4 of the Traditional Rulers Law of Anambra state, an Igwe must be an indigene of that town. Engr Nick Obi has been claiming in written documents authored and signed by him that he is Igwe Nnobi. But under the Autonomous Communities Recognition Law, Engr Nick Obi is an indigene of Awuda. Since Awuda is an autonomous community, he is therefore not an indigene of Nnobi”. Our investigation reveals that on January 15, 2007, an Anambra State High Court Judge had ordered Chief Ebubechukwu Etudo to restrain from parading himself or addressing himself or holding himself out as 'the Igwe-elect of Nnobi' or presenting himself at any place or forum as the Igwe-elect of Nnobi or allowing himself to be paraded, addressed or held out by anybody as the Igwe-elect of Nnobi pending the determination of the substantive suit. Africans In America News Watch investigation and people of interest: Africans In America News Watch investigation reveals that authorities whom the police claimed gave it the order/instruction to arrest the monarch and scuttle the events in his palace are denying police claim. Such authorities include the Offices of Nigeria Inspector General of Police and Anambra State Governor. However, our investigation indicates that there may be several ‘people of interest’ in the botched police operation, and that may include Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and Ambassador Jerry Sonny Ugokwe, Nigerian Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna. It has to be noted that in Nigeria a State Governor is the chief security officer of his/her state, and hence, controls the police in the state. In Nigeria, the police cannot arrest a town monarch without approval from the state governor.
Our investigation reveals that both Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and Ambassador Jerry Sonny Ugokwe, Nigerian Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna use the prefix, ‘His Excellency’, and are addressed as such. According to police, they got instruction from “Above”, “His Excellency”, “Abuja” and Anambra State Governor Peter Obi that the monarch will not celebrate his birthday and to arrest and take him to either Awka, Abuja or some other location. “President Yar’Adua, Chief Ojo Maduekwe and Inspector General of Police Okiro must hear this”, said a middle aged school teacher. Police defense: Mission approved by “Above”, “His Excellency”, “Abuja” and Anambra State Governor Peter Obi The police had tried to defend their actions stating that they received a written and signed petition that there was disturbance in Nnobi which had claimed 70 lives and more people will die unless they stopped the birthday celebration of the monarch. The police at various times stated they had instruction/order from either “Above”, “His Excellency”, “Abuja” and Anambra State Governor Peter Obi to execute the mission. Africans In America News Watch, however, learnt that one of the commanders of police units that came to the palace after observing the reality on the ground (that the allegations on the petition were bogus and false) went to the monarch and apologized for the conducts of his colleagues. The commander reportedly sought the blessing of the priests and forgiveness. He then commanded his team to leave the palace immediately and vowed that he “would not be part of this”. Governor Peter Obi’s silence and denials Africans In America News Watch contacted Mike Udah, Chief Press Secretary to Anambra State Governor Peter Obi to find out why the governor sent the police to arrest the monarch. Mr. Udah denied that the police ever went to Nnobi to arrest the monarch, or to obstruct church service and other events at the palace. Mr. Udah added, “Why will the Governor do that? The governor respects religion and traditional institutions like traditional rulers. The governor even sent officials to attend the event, but they heard there were gun shots in the area, so they turned back. Please clarify from your sources because the police were never at the Igwe’s palace and I am sure of that. If such a thing had happened, we would have known immediately. This may be work of our political enemies trying to paint the governor bad. Again, the Governor never sent any police to the Igwe’s palace, and no police ever went to Igwe palace for anything, never”. Asked whether he wants us to give him time to cross-check and call him back, Mr. Udah replied, “I am sure of what I am telling you. We know the Igwe had celebration in his palace and I also know that no police went there to do anything. Please check your sources well. This is the first time we are hearing this and I am sure it is not true. Journalists were there and no one has written about it. If what you are saying happened, the papers and other news would have carried it. It never happened; it is not true; police never went there. Check your sources very well.” Africans In America News Watch also contacted Mr. Chuks Iloegbunam; Media Adviser to Anambra State Governor Peter Obi who denied knowledge of the incident. He added that Chief Engr. Nicholas Obi is not Igwe yet, but Igwe-elect because Government has not given him a certificate yet. Africans In America News Watch informed Mr. Iloegbunam that Nnobi town had made him the Igwe Nnobi (the town’s monarch). Africans In America News Watch also inquired from Mr. Iloegbunam whether government installs or decides who becomes the monarch, or rather, gives certificate to the person the town has chosen. He clarified that the town decides who becomes the monarch and government will then give certificate. Asked whether he wants us to give him time to cross-check whether Governor Peter Obi ordered the police on their mission at the palace, Mr. Iloegbunam stated that he likes to be very frank and does not like to deceive people; he stated that he will not do anything beyond this telephone conversation and advised that to treat this matter, he needs to have a petition addressed to him, or, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. He also advised that we could publish it on the newspaper, internet, or, and the town or whoever could go to court to seek redress. Political connection: Ambassador Jerry Ugokwe and 2009/2010 gubernatorial election Africans In America News Watch contacted Ambassador Jerry Sonny Ugokwe, Nigerian Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna; a prominent native of Nnobi town. Ambassador Ugokwe confirmed that he visited the monarch at the palace the night prior to the incident and orally invited him (the monarch) to an ‘urgent peace meeting’ scheduled in his (Ambassador Jerry Sonny Ugokwe) residential compound. On the allegations that he subliminally threatened unknown consequences should the monarch fail to honor his invitation, the Ambassador, replied that “one do not need to go far to see what could happen to a community that had conflict over traditional ruler; our neighboring town, Awka Etiti is an example”. Ambassador Jerry Sonny Ugokwe stated that he has the mandate of the Anambra State Governor Peter Obi for his mission. Ambassador Ugokwe added that he is going to contest for Anambra State governorship election in 2009/2010. Africans In America News Watch investigation indicates that in Awka Etiti town referred to by Ambassador Ugokwe, conflict regarding monarchial succession led to deadly conflicts and some most prominent members of the town were killed by hired assassins. The conduct of Ambassador Jerry Sonny Ugokwe is seen as clear breach of protocol and arrogant disrespect and insult to the monarch. “Ambassador Ugokwe is ganging up with the opposition in attempt to insult and disrespect our Igwe. He should have shown some respect for our town constitution, our leadership, our people and traditional institution”, fumed an Nnobi community leader. Africans In America News Watch investigation discovered that as Nigerian Ambassador to United Nations in Vienna, Jerry Sonny Ugokwe represent Nigeria on many human rights issues in the world body known for peace, human rights and due process. Africans In America News Watch investigation indicates that Ambassador Jerry Sonny Ugokwe’s attempt to talk and make peace among the various interests in Nnobi is a very good idea and may be one of the best ways to solve any outstanding contentious issues, however, the timing and location of the venue appear suspicious to many. Community response Africans In America News Watch investigation shows that sincere investigation by the police and security agencies would have enabled them determine that the allegations of ‘disturbance and 70 people killed’ were bogus and false; and handiwork of criminal mischief makers. “The Anambra State Governor and the state commissioner of police and some other high-level miscreants had a different agenda because the allegations of ‘disturbance and 70 people killed’ were bogus and false”, according to our sources. “The police did not find disturbances and 70 dead bodies when they arrived at the palace; rather, they saw 30 Catholic priests, Reverend Sisters and large congregation celebrating Holy Mass. They saw masquerades, dancing groups and merriments. Still they went ahead to harass and threaten our Igwe and priests at gun point and threw teargas on dancing groups. They brought God’s curse on themselves”, lamented an elderly woman. “This is called ‘police job’. What happened is that some unhappy elements in the society told police that Igwe is celebrating and that there is plenty of food and drinks. The police went to the palace to ‘collect’ (extort bribe, not food or drink) but when they found out that Igwe did not ‘roger’, they decided to spoil his show. Na ‘police job’, now! It is illegal duty which we see everyday”, said a young man who described himself as Young Shall Grow. Pattern of high-profile kidnapping and extortion in Anambra State Africans In America News Watch investigation shows that high-profile police kidnapping and extortion is not new to Anambra State, Nigeria. Our investigation shows that about the same thing that happened at Nnobi palace also happened at Akpu town in Orumba South Local Government Area, Anambra State in December 2008. The same bogus allegation of disturbance in the town over chieftaincy throne, the same bogus allegation that many people had been killed and more planned and the same police ‘manhunt’ which was actually a ruse to destabilize the event. The bogus allegations and ‘manhunt’ prompted the duly selected monarch that just arrived from United States to accept the throne and the community leaders to go into hiding and install the chieftaincy in secrecy. Another well-televised high-profile incident took place on July 10, 2003 at Governor’s Office, Awka. The state sitting governor Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige was kidnapped from his office by police, taken to a local hotel and locked inside a toilet on the order of a local political godfather in an attempt to extort money from the governor. While the governor was locked away in the toilet of the hotel, the same police joined in the nationwide manhunt looking for him. The governor was released when a good Samaritan alerted the Vice-President of Nigeria on the real deal on the ground. The Vice-President then ordered his immediate rescue. But, before his rescue, his abductors had tortured him into signing government checks totaling billions and prepared letter of resignation. No one was arrested for that incident. And the list goes on. Nigerian National Security implications The questions begging for urgent answers are:
This botched operation, if it is determined to include extortion, illegal duty and kidnapping plots will take corruption of government officials in Nigeria to a new level. No monarch and religious institution is now safe if this reckless conduct is allowed to stand. If this could happen to a town monarch, 30 priests (including a Vicar and a Monsignor, representatives of the Bishops of Nnewi and Onitsha Arch-Diocese) and 5 nuns during Catholic Eucharistic Mass in broad daylight, then no one is safe in Anambra State, in Igboland and in Nigeria. This is a huge national security implication; this is a huge national security issue. Africans In America News Watch investigation reveals that it is a pattern in Nigeria for the police to arrest people by order/instruction from “Above”, “His Excellency”, “Abuja”, Officer-in-charge”, “superior”, etc without giving the name of the person that gave the order. This is another huge national security implication; this is another huge national security issue. The danger in this development is that Nigerian Police officer could use unwritten and unnamed order from “Above”, “His Excellency”, “Abuja” and perhaps a state governor and without investigating bogus and false allegations contained in petition of local mischief-makers to arrest practically anybody and do anything. Those are national security issues, and those are national security danger. Africans In America News Watch is investigating a lead that police actions on the palace may be connected with Anambra State gubernatorial election coming up in 2011. Nigerian politicians desperately court and seek support of towns’ monarch during electioneering period because in most cases, politicians get to the towns voters through the monarchs. Africans In America News Watch wants to assure our readers that our investigation intends to solve some of the puzzles behind the assault on the Nnobi monarch, the assault on about 30 Catholic priests, the assault on about 5 Reverend Sisters and the assault on members of the public at the palace on January 3, 2009. Our investigation intends to unravel the identities of the key players and the actual motives. We are investigative reporters, and please stay tuned as more details unfold. |
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