NewsProbe News from Nigeria and Around the world
Raymond Ozoji, Awka
Persons living with disabilities in Anambra state under the aegis of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities have raised alarm over the alleged gruesome murder of one of their members in Eziagulu village Ekwulobia, Aguata local government area.
The unfortunate tragic event which occurred on Sunday 30th January as contained in the press statement released by the association on Monday 31st January, has it that the deceased was at home when his murderer came into the compound with weapons and took his elder brother’s life over a family land said to be duly allocated to his elder brother by their late father.
The association’s press statement on the incident which was jointly signed by the state chairman, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke; the public relations officer comrade Ifeanyi Igwegbe and the association’s legal adviser, Barr. Peter Muoneke reads: “The attention of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD), Anambra State chapter has been drawn to the gruesome murder of our Chairman in Aguata LGA chapter, Mr Mmaduabuchi Nnofu, a visually impaired.
“Nnofu aged 47, a native of Eziagulu in Ekwulobia community, Aguata LGA, was allegedly murdered and set ablaze by his younger brother, Mr Onyedika Nnofu on Sunday, January 30, 2022.
“Our sources told us that Mr. Mmaduabuchi Nnofu was at home relaxing when the suspect came in with weapons and killed him before setting him ablaze within the compound. We suspected that he was murdered over a family land which had been duly assigned to him by their late father.
“Late Mmaduabuchi Nnofu while alive, confided in us that the land in question was willed to him by their late father, who also willed another one behind his to the prime suspect. He also told us that his brother since then had tried all he could to take over the land by force for sale.
“Hence, the prime suspect approached Aguata Customary Court, which in it’s wisdom, urged them to settle the issue out of court. They were still waiting to settle the case out of court only for us to hear the news that the suspect allegedly walked into his compound last Sunday and gruesomely murdered him.
“JONAPWD believes that this evil act was perpetrated on our member because he was blind and helpless. Mmaduabuchi Nnofu was killed because his sibling saw him as nobody or disabled especially because he was blind and unmarried.
“This negates his rights as human as upheld by the United Nations Charter; Article 15 and section 21(1b) of the Anambra State Disability Rights Law (2018), and Sections 33 and 43 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“Therefore, we are demanding justice for late Mmaduabuchi Nnofu. Justice is necessary to prevent a repeat of this man’s inhumanity to man on our members or any other person anywhere in Nigeria.
“Hence, JONAPWD Anambra is appealing to the Nigeria Police Force, Anambra State Command to (a) arrest the prime suspect (b) conduct investigation into the matter and (c) charge him and other possible conspirators to court accordingly.
“We also want the Anambra State Government, international community, civil society organisations and other relevant bodies to kindly wade into this ugly incident to bring lasting justice to our member. “
Meanwhile, the police commissioner in Anambra state, CP Echeng Eworo Echeng, said the suspect is currently in custody undergoing interrogations.
