A human rights activist, Comrade Osita Obi says the immediate past Anambra Commissioner of Police, CP. Obono Nnaghe Itam has some questions to answer over the sudden escape of two suspects who murder the lawmaker representing Onitsha North One Constituency, Late Hon. Justice Azuka.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that Obi who is the convener of the Recover Nigeria Project, made the call on Friday in Awka, Anambra State, during a press conference.
Obi called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Police Service Commission (PSC) to summon CP Itam, to explain why those arrested in connection with the kidnapping and killing of State Lawmaker Justice Azuka escaped.
He also expressed sadness over the failure of the former CP, Itam, to brief the new CP, Orutugu Ikioye, about the developments when he was leaving office.
The activist stated that the corruption in the Anambra State Police Command is being fueled by some government officials who have compromised themselves.
According to him, criminal activities in the state would not be possible without the connivance of some top government officials.
“The escape of the killers of Anambra lawmaker was supervised by the former commissioner of police in Anambra, CP Obono Enaghe Itam. We are wondering why he could not brief the incoming CP over a matter like this before leaving.
“It was a well planned deal to give the suspects the opportunity to escape. He should be probed and retired immediately. He should not be rewarded for his incompetence and compromise in Anambra with bigger duties in Abuja. He should not be allowed to remain in the police.
“The escape was in connivance with some big men in Anambra State. Top corrupt government officials and we are calling on governor Soludo to look inwards and weed his government of such people.
“We are calling for his immediate retirement and that he be brought back to Anambra State to account for the havoc he wrecked in the security architecture of Anambra State Command”.
Activist Obi said the new commissioner of police, CP Orutugu should be given the necessary cooperation to tackle crime in the state.
“We just have a new commissioner and we need to give him chance to do his work. We will continue to monitor him and know when to come in.
“We are asking for the total overhaul of police in Anambra State. A policeman who has stayed in Anambra for more than 30 years, what is he doing here. It is things like that which cause compromise in the police force,” Obi said.
Obi also narrated how some government officials influenced the outcome of his case with some people who attacked him at Ekwueme Square.
“I was attacked by some suspected cultists at Ekwueme Square. Government officials rushed me to the hospital, but those same officials did everything to ensure that the suspects were not tried.
” The police initially said they should be tried for attempted murder, but with the influence of those government officials—whom, unknowingly to me, I was blocking their revenue windows—those in the government even called one of the police officers to know his interest in the case.
” After all was said and done, the suspects were charged with assault, not attempted murder,” Obi said.
Activist Obi, called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to review and rejig those working within his administration, alleging that some of them are part of the problem in the state.
“I firmly believe that some government officials are aware of the kidnappings, killings, and criminal activities in the state. The governor should review some officials within his administration. Crime in the state cannot continue without the active knowledge of those in government,” he added.
Obi concluded by calling for the complete overhaul of the state police formation and security architecture for more effective policing.
