From Mba Nnenna, Abakaliki.
National Human Rights Commission Ebonyi State, have appealed justice for late Miss Onu Nnennaya, aged 35, brutally murdered 23rd December, 2021.
The State Coordinator, Okorie Christopher Onyekachi made this known during a press conference, Thursday 24th, at NHRC hall, Abakaliki.
The NHRC Ebonyi state office on 10th February, 2022 received a complaint from Mrs Onu Juliet Ogbonnaya, (29) sister to the deceased (Onu Nnennaya.)
It was alleged that her only surviving sister Miss Onu Nnennaya was on the 23rd December, 2021 brutally murdered at night while in her family compound at Onunwokorie compound Ndiagu Anike onicha -igboeze in Ezeukwa Development centre, onicha LGA of Ebonyi state.”
The murderers cut off the victim’s left leg and made away with it, thereafter fetched her belongings and that of her mother from the house, piled them on her body and set them on fire.
247ureports gathered that prior to the brutal murder of Miss Onu Nnennaya, the extended family members have warned the deceased (Miss Onu Nnennaya), her mother (Mrs Agnes Onu), and only sister (Mrs Juliet Onu) not to enter any of their family lands or plantations just because their father had no surviving male child.
Onu Juliet further alleged that upon the death of her(Miss Nnennaya Onu’s) uncle Mr okoro Nwokorie on 20th December, 2021 at the hospital, her aunt Mrs Roseline Nwankwo Okorie, her children and other relatives including Mr David Ukpa(aka ATS), threatened that Miss Onu Nnennaya and her mother must be buried first before the burial of Mr Okoro Nwokorie.
Three days later after the threat Miss Onu Nnennaya was brutally murdered and burnt while her mother (Mrs Agnes Onu) was in Abakaliki recuperating from ill-health in the house of the complaint(Onu Juliet Ogbonnaya).
The commission received and assigned the complaint in line with Rule 72 of Standing Orders and Rules of Procedure of NHRC Act 2010.
On 18th February 2022, the commission wrote to its principal partners, the Nigerian Police Force through the Commissioner of Police Ebonyi state command, requesting a thorough investigation, arrests and prosecution of suspects in line with section 4(a) and (f) of Nigeria Police Act.
As is the practice, the commission follows up with its complaints, to determine the extent if the case reported. The complainant informed the commission that no action has been taken on the matter as she and her old mother lack the needed resources to mobilize the Police into investigation and or possible arrest and prosecution of suspects.
“The commission is yet to meet with the Police to this regard, though a letter requesting for the update on the case has been sent to the Police from the commission” (Okorie Onyekachi, Ebonyi state coordinator for NHRC said).
He added that the commission condemns this heinous act and calls for immediate action towards apprehending the suspects and securing the lives of the surviving members of the deceased family.
The commission appeals to the Local Government Chairman of Onicha LGA(Hon Felix Igboke), the Coordinator of Ezeukwa Development Centre (Igwe Agwu), the Member representing Onicha West State Constituency (Hon. Chukwuma Igwe), the Traditional Ruler of Onicha-Igboeze(HRH Eze Agom Eze), and leaders of Religious Organizations in the community, to assist the Police and smoke out the perpetrators of this crime.
In addition the complainant Mrs Onu Juliet Ogonnaya passionately calls on all good spirited citizens of Ebonyi state and beyond, the CSOs, cooperate bodies, the religious organizations, to come to her aid and her widowed mother (Mrs Agnes Onu) in view of helping them get justice for her daughter/ sister, rehabilitation, security and safety for the surviving family members.
The commission urge the general public to report all cases of human rights violations in the state to NHRC hotline (07060455554), to the police, all CSOs that are involved with human rights defense etc.
The commission renews its call for respect for Human Rights in Ebonyi state and beyond. Human life and dignity are sacrosanct and must be promoted, protected and enforced at all times.
Speaking with the state PPRO Mrs Odah Loveth, she confirmed that the matter was reported on 18th February, 2022, on 28th February the deceased sister came to the police and made statement. Ever since then the deceased family have not been seen.
