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  • Court frees Ozubulu massacre suspects

    Court frees Ozubulu massacre suspects

    …I’ve forgiven my accusers – suspect

    A High court sitting in Awka has discharged and acquitted two remaining suspects standing trial for alleged involvement in the killing of worshipers in a church in Ozubulu, Anambra state.

    In a ruling that lasted for over three hours, Justice Fidelis Aniukwu ruled that the prosecution counsel was unable to prove beyond reasonable doubt the allegations leveled against the defendants, Chinedu Akpunonu and Onyebuchi Mbanefo.

    Unknown gunmen had on August 6, 2017, invaded St Philips Catholic Church, Ozubulu in Ekwusigo local government area of the state and killed no fewer than thirteen persons.

    The Judge had in December 2018 discharged two out of the four persons arraigned before a high court in November 2017 following the church attack.

    Justice Aniukwu argued that the prosecution witnesses could not provide any evidence linking the defendants with the murder as alleged.

    Reacting to the judgement, the defence counsel, Mr. Festus Kayemo SAN, described it as landmark in view of the accelerated hearing granted by the presiding Judge.

    Kayemo, represented in court by another counsel, Mr Samuel Echeakputa, however said he would not be surprised if the judgement would be appealed.

    “It’s the prosecution’s right to appeal the judgement. But from what I witnessed in the court today, it will be very difficult for the appeal court to upturn the judgement,” he said.

    One of the defendants, Mr Chinedu Akpunonu, was full of gratitude to God for vindicating him from what he described as attempt by some persons to smear his reputation.

    He however said he had forgiven his accusers, urging them to join hands to ensure peace reined in the community.

    He said, “From the beginning, I told my people that I was not involved in the killing. But the Lord gave me victory as a proof that I’m very innocent.

    “I didn’t know I was very important to my people until I saw excitement in the faces of crowd that came to court. I’ve already forgiven all that put hands to put me in prison.

    “I thank those that stood by me throughout my travail. I also thank my lawyer and the Judge for delivering a fair and sound judgement.”

    Meanwhile, the prosecution counsel, Mr Jay Jay Ezeuko SAN, said he would determine the next step after receiving a copy of the judgement.

  • Ozubulu: ‘Killers threaten to attack four more families’

    One of the witnesses in the Ozubulu Church killings in Anambra state, Chukwuemeka Obi, Friday told the court in Awka, Anambra state that those who masterminded the killings have threatened to carry out more attacks in four families in the community.

    Not only that, he also told the court that they equally threatened to carry out such attacks on other members of the community based in South Africa and Brazil.

    The revelation came at the Nnewi High court now sitting in Awka because of threats on witnesses, which is being presided over by Justice F I Aniukwu.

    It would be recalled that on August 6, 2017 unknown gun men stormed Saint Philip’s Catholic Church Amakwa Ozubulu and killed 13 persons, while 29 others were seriously injured.

    Obi, who was a witness from Johannesburg, South Africa, revealed the threats by the suspects as he was being led in evidence in Chief by his lawyer, Jay Jay Ezeuko SAN.

    According to him, “The killers have threatened to kill my father in Ozubulu, attack four families in Ozubulu; kill my younger brother who is living in Brazil and myself who is living in South Africa”

    “They are demanding one million dollars from us or they will wipe all us. We have been receiving strange phone calls from these people”

    “They accused me of being a betrayer because on one occasion, I traveled with Bishop (Aloysius Ikegwuonu) from South Africa to Nigeria; rode in his (Bishop’s) car from Lagos to Ozubulu”

    The witness further alleged that one of the suspects, Chinedu Akpunonu, who was equally standing trial in the matter, was working with two persons he called Gozila and Afam

    Both suspects, he said, were in jail in South African prison to terrorize the people of Ozubulu at home and abroad.

    Also Emeka Nzelu, another witness based in South Africa, told the court that another suspect standing trial in the case, Onyebuchi Mbanefo, called him on phone and threatened to deal with “bishop”(Aloysius Ikegwuonwu) for abandoning him when he needed his help.

    According to Nzelu , “Mbanefo told me that he would now join forces with Akpunonu to deal with bishop for failing to assist him to foot his bill for bullet wound surgery, despite the fact that it was because of bishop that he sustained the wound”

    “He refused to accept all appeals I made to him to forgive bishop (ikegeuonwu)

    Asked by Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, who is the defence counsel, whether he reported that such threat to the police in South Africa or Nigeria, Nzelu answered in the negative.

    Rather, he said he reported the matter to the chairman of Ozubulu Development Union O D U in South Africa.

    However, after listening to the witnesses and their Counsels, the trial judge, Justice Aniukwu refused bail application for the four suspects standing trial in the August 6 killings.

    The Judge in his ruling said the risk of releasing the suspects outweighed their freedom.

    The Justice said, the suspects did not prove exceptional circumstance to warrant their bail.

    The suspects had stated in their bail application that they were innocent of the charges against them

    They maintained that before the law they remained innocent and entitled to bail.

    They also stated that they had health conditions that the prison health facilities could not handle.

    Agreeing that ill health was a ground to grant suspects bail in criminal matters, the judge said in his thinking since the prosecution was handling the matter expeditiously, it was better to keep the suspects intact to face their case than risking granting them bail where they might abandon the case or jump bail.

    Counsel to the defendants, Mr. Festus Keyamo, after the session, told reporters that he had got the brief of his clients to go on interlocutory appeal on the bail.

    The presiding judge, Justice Aniukwu, adjourned the matter to May 16th and 25th, June 8th and 22nd; and July 6 for continuation.

  • JUST IN: Four docked in connection with Ozubulu massacre

    The premises of Nnewi High Court, in Anambra State, was taken over by a huge crowd, Friday morning, as people trooped in from many parts of the state to witness the trial of four suspects, who allegedly carried out the massacre of worshippers at St. Philips Catholic Church, Ozubulu in August, last year.

    In court on Thursday, were Chinedu Akpunonu (44), Vincent Ike (57), Chukwudi Ugwu (30) and Onyebuchi Mbanefo (46), while three other suspects are still at large, are to come in direct confrontation with Aloysius Ikegwuonu, a South African-based businessman, whose father was killed in the attack, and the Parish Priest of the church, Rev Fr Jude Onwuaso and six others, who have been listed as witnesses.

    The suspects were arraigned on 37-count charge bordering on conspiracy and murder, which read:

    “That you Great Chinedu Akpunonu, .M. Vincent Ike .M. Chukwudi Ugwu .M. others now at large on or about 6th day of August 2017 at St Philip Catholic Church Amakwa Ozubulu at about 0600hrs in the Ekwusigo Magisterial District did conspire to commit felony to wit: Murder.

    “You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 494 of the Criminal Code Cap 36 vol. II revised laws of Anambra state of Nigeria 1991.

    “That you, Great Chinedu Akpunonu ‘m’, Vincent Ike m’, Chukwudi Ugwu ‘m and others now at large on the same date, place, time and within the aforementioned magisterial District did unlawfully kill one Anthoni Ufondu ‘f’ by shooting her with a gun which caused her death.

    “You thereby committed an offence punishable under ‘Section 274(1) of the Criminal Code Cap 36 vol. H revised paws of Anambra state of Nigeria 1991.

    “That you Great Chinedu Akpunonu ‘m’, Vincent Ike ‘m’, Chukwudi Ugwu ‘m’ others now at large on the same date, place, time and within the aforementioned magisterial District did unlawfully kill one Anurika Obunadike ‘f’ by shooting her with a gun which caused her death.

    “You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 274(1) of the Crnal Code Cap 36 vol. H revised laws of Arian-144ra state of Nigeria 1991.”

    The entrance of the court building, was crammed with those who had come to catch a glimpse of the accused persons, responsible for the killing, in which over 12 persons, reportedly died in an early morning mass service at the Church located at Amakwa village in the sprawling community, on August 6, 2016.

    The police had moved in shortly after the incident and made arrests some of the suspects involved in the killings while the Anambra State Government promised that all those behind the attack will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

    Among those invited as a witness at the commencement of the trial on Friday is one Dr. Onwuka, the former President General of Ozubulu.

    Meanwhile, a cross examination of witnesses by the prosecuting counsel is still ongoing.

  • Ozubulu killings: Church reopens after Bishop’s sanctification [PHOTOS]

    Almost a week after the massacre that left at least 13 worshipers dead and scores injured, the affected church in Ozubule has been sanctified and rededicated to God.

    The Catholic Bishop of Nnewi diocese, His lordship, Most Rev. Hillary Odili Okeke, yesterday led other worshippers to rededicate the St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Amakwa, Ozubulu to God.

    Recall that at least one gunman stormed the church during early morning mass last Sunday in an attack that left many worshippers dead.

    Some of the suspects of the attack, according to the state police command, have been arrested while measures are being drafted to get hold of the masterminds.

    The church is expected to hold its first mass since the attack in the church premises today, August 13.

  • Ozubulu Killings: FG’s delegation visits scene of incident, condoles with Obiano

    A Presidential delegation led by Dr Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, on Saturday condole with Anambra Government over the August 6 attack on worshippers at St Philips Catholic Church, Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra.

    Members of the team include, Prof Anthony Anwukah, Minister of State for Education, Prof. Isaac Adewole, Minister of Health, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Jubrin, Minister of State for Environment.

    Handing over the two-page condolence message to Gov. Willie Obiano. represented by his deputy, Nkem Okeke, Ngige described the shooting as unfortunate.

    He said the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, was deeply saddened by the news of the shooting and death of innocent worship, adding that he extended his deep sympathy to the government and people of Anambra.

    The minister assured the government of Anambra that the Federal Government would cooperate with the state government in the effort to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

    “We have been delegated by the Acting President to come and condole with you on the sad shooting of innocent worshippers in Amakwa, Ozubulu, on Aug. 6.

    “We are also going to visit the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, Most Rev. Dr Hillary Okeke, who is the Shepard were it happened, and we are also going to Amakwa to see things for ourselves.

    “He (Acting President) said we should reassure you that the Federal Government will cooperate with the state to fish out the perpetrators,” he said.

    Responding, Obiano thanked the Federal Government for showing concern and sending the high-powered delegation, noting that was most expected.

    Obiano said the incident was alien to the people of the state as it had not happened anywhere around it.

    He said some arrests had been made and that investigation was ongoing.

     

     

    NAN

  • ‘Death toll of Ozubulu killings rises to 13… full names of affected victims released’

    The Catholic Diocese of Nnewi has released the names of victims of the gun attack on St. Philip’s Catholic church, Ozubulu, in Anambra state.

    Recall TheNewsGuru.com reported details of how a gunman attacked the church, leaving 12 worshippers dead while 18 others sustained serious injuries.

    In a statement issued by Hilary Odili Okeke, bishop of the diocese, the church indicated that the death toll in the attack had risen to 13.

    While soliciting for funds for the care of the victims, the diocese said it has opened a bank account in that regards.

    “Anybody, parish, institution, company, society, association or group that would like to join the diocese in providing assistance to the victims and their families can send their contributions,” the statement read.

    “We shall keep accurate records of contribution and distribution of the funds.”

    It listed the 22 surviving victims as:

    • Ikegwuonu Caroline
    • Nwakile Anthonia
    • Okoye Odinaka
    • Okoye Patricia
    • Isaac Chinedu
    • Oramadike Chinagorom
    • Oramadike Chinecherem
    • Udegbunam Chidimma
    • Ndulue Samuel
    • Udegbunam Obiageli
    • Ugochi Obiajulu
    • Chukwueloka Chineze
    • Oramadike Chioma
    • Azuka Basil
    • Oramadike Chiamaka
    • Uchechukwu Chukwueloka
    • Nwanya Ngozi
    • Ngwuta Chinemelum
    • Asomba Chukwudum
    • Nnudule Leonard
    • Muomah Michael
    • Oramadike Favour

  • I’m not into drugs, know nothing about Ozubulu’s killings – Suspect, Aloysius Ikegwuonwu

    The man mentioned as a suspect in the massacre of worshipers in St Patrick Catholic church, Ozubulu, Anambra State, Aloysius Ikegwuonwu better known as Bishop has reacted to allegations that he is a drug lord.

    Bishop, who is based in South Africa and was reportedly the target of the attack, which also claimed the life of his father, said he, knows nothing about the killing.

    In a statement he personally signed and made available to reporters, Bishop, who is said to have single handedly funded the Ozubulu church, said he has never been arrested or convicted for any drug related offence before.

    His statement said, “My attention has been drawn to a social media campaign where it is alleged that I am connected to the Ozubulu church killing over a drug problem.

    “For the avoidance of any doubt I wish to inform the general public that I know nothing about the church killings an

    “I have never been arrested or convicted anywhere in the world. My businesses are legitimate businesses, duly registered. Apart from warehousing and wholesale of goods I am also a contractor involved in the construction of roads and infrastructure in Nigeria.

    “It’s shameful that Nigerians and the media don’t verify any story before running with them.

    “The handwork of those who are jealous of my success and who are determined to tarnish my image is evident.

    “The Church killings is an unprecedented evil that deserves full investigation to unmask the perpetrators.

    “We await investigations and full police report of the church attack.

    “In the meantime I request all social media and media houses to retract my name from the defamatory stories linking me with the church killing.

    “Failure to do so and any further linking of my name with the church killings will force me to take legal action against the purveyors of the defamatory false story.”