‘Suspected Murderers of Onuwaje Must Face Trial’

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Amidst claims and counter claims, the people of Ugborodo Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, have insisted that masterminds of the murder of Itsekiri youth leader, Emiko Onuwaje, must face trial.

To secure justice for the bereaved family, the aggrieved Ugborodo indigenes also vowed not to accept the return of a prominent indigene of the community back home until culprits were fished out by the Police and face proper prosecution.

The leaders of the community made the declaration on Monday during a peaceful protest at Ogidigben in Ugborodo Federated Communities of Warri Federal Constituency.

Clad in all-black, the aggrieved Ugborodo indigenes, marched through several streets in Ogidigben, singing solemn songs and brandishing leaves.

Speaking with journalists during the protest, Vice Chairman of Ugborodo Community Management Committee (UCMC) and spokesman of Ogidigben Community Council of Elders, Austin Ajuremisan, maintained that there was no way justice would come without bringing the culprit to book.

Secretary, Ugborodo Community Management Committee, UCMC, Mr. Eyengho Samuel Besidone, equally demanded for justice for the victim.

He noted that routing the suspects would go a long way in calming frayed nerves, particularly the agitated youths in the community.
“The man (Emiko Onuwaje) killed, has children and family. The killing is purely murder, not community differences. When the armed men invaded our community, we thought they were bandits, only to see some of our brothers, claiming to fight for palace.

“We are calling on the federal government and security agencies, to do the needful. The dead is crying for justice and justice must be served”, he stated.

The Eghare – Aja of Ugborodo, Eghare Daniel Uwawah, in his own account recalled that the incident happened when some Ugborodo indigenes, including the late Emiko Onuwaje, were on their way to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Ogidigben for a peaceful protest, that they were allegedly attacked, leading to Onuwaje’s death.

Prominent Itsekiri leader and Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Ayirimi Emami, who was in grief explained that his firm had written several petitions against the prime suspect.

“My pipeline surveillance company, had written several petitions against the prime suspect, who does illegal bunkering activities.
“Whenever you tell him to retrace his footsteps, they will say you are fighting the palace as if the palace is aiding criminality. Does the palace send people to protest or partake in criminal activities?

“The President is against illegal possession of fire arms, once they find out it’s not Ayiri, nobody wants to act. One of the boys caught, has made confessional statements in view of the murder of Emiko Onuwaje,” he added.