Johnkennedy Uzoma, Owerri
The Imo State branch of the University of Calabar Alumni Association has called on security agencies to expedite action on investigation over the circumstances that led to the gruesome murder of a former chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), in the state, Barr. Ndionyenma Nwankwo.
The association is also demanding from the security agencies to bring perpetrators of the heinous crime to book soonest.
The association made the call in a release jointly signed by its president, Mrs. Chinyere Sani, Secretary, Nseabasi Peter and Public Relations Officer, Ebere Uzoma, copies of which were made available to newsmen, in Owerri, the state capital.
While denouncing the dastardly act which occurred, last weekend, the association insisted that only justice could assuage the pangs of the family members and loved ones of the deceased.
The association described the incident as ‘one of many unfortunate assassinations’ bedeviling the society, adding that the incident calls for great concern among the citizenry and security agencies.
The statement read in part, “We hereby call on the Imo government, the Nigerian Police Force, the DSS, CID and indeed, all security agencies to rise to this occasion and fish out the perpetrator(s) of this heinous crime.
“The perpetrator(s) of this heinous crime have no regard for the sanctity of life and should be brought to justice “.
The association further described the late Nwankwo as a legal practitioner who had a lot to give to society and commiserated with his family and the entire UNICAL alumni.
The statement continued, “While we await the outcome of the ongoing investigations, we wish to commiserate with his wife, children and the entire UNICAL alumni over this unfortunate incident”.
The Nigerian Xpress learnt that Nwankwo, who hailed from Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, was found dead in his Owerri office, on Sunday, at 9.56am by forensic experts from the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
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The state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Orlando Ikeokwu, who confirmed the incident, said that the Command had commenced investigation into the incident.
Also, a former Secretary of the NBA in Imo State, Ishmael Nkwocha, said that he called the attention of the police when he was informed by Nwankwo’s family members that he (Nwankwo) left his house on Saturday but never returned.
He said that when forensic experts arrived at 9.56a.m. with their equipment, “they opened the door, only for them to find his bulky frame lying lifeless inside his office in a pool of his congealed blood.
“On closer inspection, Nwankwo appeared to have been savagely stabbed with a knife by his assailant, as a very gaping cut was seen on his neck, with less than 50 per cent of the flesh in his neck region holding the head.
“Blood splashes were seen on the roof, fans and office equipment, suggesting ferocious cuts on his neck,” Nkwocha said.