By Christopher Oji
The Family of late Mr Ubanna Henry Iroegbu of Umuoma Onicha in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government of Imo State, who was allegedly murdered on December 28, 2021, by his in-law, has raise the alarm that some people were making plans to release the suspect.
The family said steps towards releasing the suspect portends serious danger to the family as the suspect had vowed to wipe out the entire family.
The family comprising of Mr Bernard Iroegbu, Mr Chukwu Iroegbu and Mrs Ugomma Judith Aguwa (Nee Iroegbu) alleged that there has been very desperate and fraudulent efforts to secure bail for the suspect, Mr Michael Ugorji Aguwa, who allegedly murdered their brother and son.
Spokesman for the family, Mr Benard Iroegbu, lamented that the suspect and his lawyers were making desperate efforts to secure bail for him. Mr Bernard, who alleged that Aguwa deliberately committed the murder after making threats, said that granting bail to him would amount to injustice and promotion of criminality.
He said: “The suspect openly and deliberately shot Ubanna to death. After shooting him, he locked his gates to prevent efforts for rescue and medical attention, until the young man died. He bragged that nothing would happen to him. Our family is poor and we have no one to defend us. I want the whole world, the government and Chief Judge of Imo State to know that the life of a 38-year-graduate of Agricultural Engineering was cut short in broad daylight, not by accident.
Moreover, the man they are planning to grant bail boasted while in police custody that he had perfected his bail plans and prepared his documents, ready to travel as soon as he is granted bail.’’
Mr Edmund Aguwa, who is elder brother to the suspect, appealed for public outcry against granting bail to Aguwa.
“He is my younger brother. I will tell you that from youth he has been a terror. For over two years, he has been harassing me with his gun, threatening to kill and bury me with his money, and out of fear, I usually go into hiding whenever he is around, knowing his wickedness would make him carry out his threat. I am appealing to the Chief Judge of Imo State, the Director of Public prosecution and the Judge handling this matter to make sure that he is not granted bail.”
The Executive Director, Grooming Leadership Network, an NGO, Mr. Okey J-T Anyanwu, who has been following up on the case to ensure justice, decried the desperation being exhibited by the accused and his legal counsel to secure bail.
“I call on the Chief Judge, the Director of Public Prosecution and the Honourable Judge handling the matter to uphold the truth, moral and social justice with fear of God. They should note that Mr Michael Aguwa is standing trial for a capital offence of murder and deserves no bail for any reason,” he said.