Youths protest over Ebonyi APC Chairman’s death
Youth Association, Ezza Ezekuna, yesterday staged peaceful protest in front of Ebonyi state government house over the delay by Enugu State Police Command to unravel the cause of the death of All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman, Ezza North Local Government Area of the State, Barr Ernest Oduu.
The protesters carried inscriptions like, ‘IGP, please investigate the death of our son’, Ezza Youth mourns Barr Ernest’, ‘We don’t want the death of our brother swept under the carpet’, ‘the cause of his death must be made public and must not be carried out secretly’, among others.
Leader of the group, Barrister Leonard Alegu said that they were in the government house to protest the delay by the Enugu police command in unravelling the death of Barr Oduu and urged the Ebonyi state government to liaise with the Enugu State Commissioner for Police to commence investigation into the cause of his death.
Barrister Elegu stated that, “Since Saturday, August 17, that our brother was said to have slumped and died in a hotel in Enugu where he went to attend a political meeting, nothing has been heard about his death. We are worried that the police Command in Enugu State have not commenced investigation and we are calling for justice.
“We are here to make a passionate appeal to the Ebonyi State government to please liaise with the Enugu State Police command, not just to investigate the cause of the death but to unravel the cause of his death because, justice will not be achieved if the cause of his death is not unravelled”.
Receiving the protesters, the Chief of Staff, Ebonyi state Government House, Chief Ofor Okorie thanked the Ezza youths for embarking on peaceful protest rather than taking laws into their hands adding that their action is most commendable and shows a high level of maturity and civility.
Chief Okorie assured the youths that the state government having received their complain would ensure that it would liaise with the Enugu State police command through the Ebonyi State command to ensure that the death of the deceased is properly investigated.
He urged them to return to their different houses and not to allow miscreants hijack the protest as that would not go down well with the state government.
Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Mr. Tony Olofu, said that the Ebonyi State Police command will collaborate with its Enugu State counterpart to look into the matter.
He further assured them that everything contained in the letter submitted to the police command would get to the appropriate authorities adding that whatever their grievances are would be addressed.
He urged them to go back to the businesses and remain law abiding citizens pointing out that the Ebonyi State Police Command will continue to ensure the security of lives and properties of its citizenry.
