By Elochukwu Nicholas Ohagi
The first time I heard about this case was sometime last one year. By then these boys have been in prison illegally for two years already.
I went to Ikenga in Aguata Local Government of Anambra State and interviewed some people concerning this case. The story of a particular woman whose grandson was among the six boys imprisoned by this wicked, evil and dangerous young man was rather pathetic. The boy happened to be an only son to the old woman's late son. An Orphan taken from an old woman simply because there is absolutely no body to speak for her.
I also was present in Ekwulobia High Court to witness one of those adjournments Chukwujekwu Nwokeke alias OKPOLE and his band of lawyers are using to keep six innocent boys in prison for a whooping three years now. When the court didn't sit as usual, I with one of the accused brother Dim Jimeto Chinazam headed to the prison at Ekwulobia and met the young boys.
Their looks pathetic and tells an ugly story of victimization. Victims of a nation where the rich can put you away for years provided he got the money and connections. They told me their encounter in the notorious Awkuzu SARS. They nearly died, for they were beaten, tortured and statements written for them with them thumb printing whatever was written for them.
To tell you that it was just a case of intimidation, one of the boys arrested by Chukwujekwu got people in high places. He made them seven, but paid his way to freedom and was released, thereby reducing their number to six.
Chukwujekwu Nwokeke is a very rich man, who has connections in politics. According to people, he has bragged openly how he is a right hand man to Arthur Eze and many other politicians, but what I don't know is if these politicians he brags with their names truly know the terrible bully Chukwujekwu NWOKEKE is.
He has a way of buying off the people. He uses his money to penetrate the hearts of people and controls their thought process. In Ikenga community, this notorious wicked bully is praised by those he controls. Thank God some few people are now waking up and questioning the small lion trying so hard to eat up the lesser animals.
What Transpired?
Criminals has gone to Chukwujekwu NWOKEKE's house in the village and made away with his properties. When Chukwujekwu returned from the city, he discovered that his properties have been stolen. He immediately got the services of SARS and arrested some boys without any known evidence suggesting they stole from him. They were all arrested at night in their respective houses. These boys were tortured near death, but the unsatisfied Chukwujekwu wasn't satisfied with the torture. He took them to prison and vowed that they will stay eternity in prison.
As I am writing this, apart from the court sitting that remanded them in prison, all other court sittings since the last three years are adjourned citing useless and senseless excuses till this very day. The Court sitting I attended didn't hold because the judge wasn't on sit. That is exactly how these six boys stayed in jail for three years and still counting.
I wonder how the Traditional Ruler of Ikenga sleeps at night.
I wonder the type of men answering cabinet and elders in Ikenga.
When will Ikenga people stand up to Chukwujekwu NWOKEKE Alias OKPOLE?
(Chukwujekwu is the one circled in the pictures.)
Elochukwu Ohagi is a Philosopher, Teacher And Activist.
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