…Accuse hubby of allegedly sponsoring cultism, banditry
Clement Nnachi, Abakaliki
Irate Youths in Elugwu Ettam community in Okpuitumo Ikwo Local government Area of Ebonyi State, on Saturday, set ablaze the residence of the state’s Commissioner For Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Uchechi Okah.
It was gathered that the youths on the occasion prepared a mock coffin and paraded it round the community with inscription ‘Rest in Peace, Celestine’.
Investigation revealed that the community had banished the husband of the commissioner, identified as Mr. Celestine Okah, whom they accused of sponsoring cultism and banditry in the community.
A Source who prepared anonymity told The Nigeria Xpress that Mr. Okah was accused of involvement in some crimes in the community which he vehemently denied.
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His denials did not stop his being summoned by the community’s village head who ordered him to swear an oath to prove his innocence in keeping with the customs and traditions of the community.
The source disclosed that Mr. Okah refused to swear to the oath, but rather resorted to inviting police authorities into the matter.
According to the source, “Mr. Okah ‘s refusal and subsequent invitation of the police infuriated the youths around who pounced on him before moving to the location of his house where they vandalised it before setting the property ablaze.
“Not done yet, the youths proceeded to burn another building belonging to another member of the community whose child is named after the victim’s wife, Mrs. Uchechi Okah.
“By the time the Police could get to the scene, the destruction had been carried out but the police personnel succeeded in rescuing Mr. Okah and whisked him out of the area.
The source maintained that the community warned the police to take Mr. Okah out of the community and warned him not to enter their community again.
Confirming the story, Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Loveth Odah said that the police was able to rescue the victim.
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Mrs. Odah noted that when the Police went back, on Sunday, with the State Commissioner for Border, Peace and Internal Security, Mr. Stanley Emegha, where they discovered that the Community dug a deep trench to prevent them from gaining access in the community.
She noted that the Police was able to restore order in the area and warned the community to embrace peace and settle whatever dispute they may have with the victim.
The victim’s whereabouts could not be ascertained at press time as telephone calls put across to him were unsuccessful.
When contacted on telephone, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Uchechi Okah, refused to react on the issue.
“I don’t want to make any comment for now”, said the Commissioner in an emotion laden voice.”
Corroborating the story, the state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Border Peace, Mr. Stanley Emegha, wondered why the community would take the laws into their hands.
He said the state government had waded into the matter to ascertain the remote and immediate cause of the incident.
