Family of murdered 13-yr-old girl alleges police cover up

Peter Nwuzor, an uncle of the 13 -year-old girl in Ebonyi state, Ukamaka Nwuzor, who was allegedly killed by her neighbour, Ogbonna Daniel, has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, human rights organizations, civil society organizations, women and child rights bodies to intervene in the killing of his niece, alleging attempts to cover up the matter.

Ukamaka was allegedly killed on May 2, by Ogbonna for pouring dirty water in front of his house.

The incident occurred at One Avenue, Abakalkiki, the Ebonyi state capital.

The state police command had arrested the suspect over the incident.

But, in a statement signed by him and made available to journalists in Abakaliki, Nwuzor alleged that there were plans by the state police command to set Ogbonna free having not been charged to court, but released by the police.

He alleged that the suspect has been hobnobbing with powerful forces in the state to pervert the course of justice in Ukamaka’s killing.

“On that fateful day, the suspect, Daniel Ogbonna intercepted the deceased who was sent on an errand by her aunty and started beating her, alleging that she poured water on a place he had slept.

“As the girl was crying, her aunty heard her cry and rushed to find out why. The said Daniel Ogbonna said that the deceased poured water and she must sweep it and he continued to beat her.

“The pregnant woman could not watch as the suspect continued beating Ukamaka, who was losing energy and who made frantic efforts to escape to no avail.

“The aunty thereafter, held the suspect on his cloth, demanding he stops beating the girl or beat the two of them. Immediately, the suspect punched the aunty who is pregnant in her right eye and as she struggled to hold herself, the poor girl’s (Ukamaka) heart failed and she slumped and died.

“Both the deceased and her pregnant aunty were rushed to the accident and emergency unit of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, where the little girl was confirmed dead and her aunty admitted for treatment,” Nwuzor’s statement said.

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However, he regretted that weeks after officers from the homicide section of the state CID concluded investigation into the matter, they have refused to charge the matter to court.

“It is therefore, against this backdrop that I am calling on the inspector-general of police, rights and civil society orgnizations and the international community to come to my aid in search of justice for my slain niece.

“The suspect is now hobnobbing with powerful forces who are bent on setting him free at the detriment of justice and social responsibility.

“My life and those of my family is not safe with the release of the murder suspect as my family and I, are now principal witnesses in the matter,” he said.

Confirming Ukamaka’s murder, the state police spokesperson, Loveth Oda said the suspect would be charged to court after investigation.