Detained murder suspects allegedly kill fellow inmate in police custody

By Ifeizu Joe

Four unnamed murder suspects, awaiting arraignment and detained in the custody of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, have been alleged to have killed an inmate, Mr Chidubem Ezenwa in police custody.

Ezenwa, a 24 years old trader in Asaba, Delta State had been arrested by the police in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area, alongside five of his friends for violence, and later transfered to RRS, Awkuzu, before he was pounced on by fellow inmates in police detention.

Chukwunonso Udezue, a friend of the deceased, who survived the experience in detention and was later released, narrated his experience to THE RAZOR.

Chukwunonso, Deceased Chidubem’s friend

“My friend, Chidubem came home from Asaba where he runs his business, to see our mutual friend, Chiboy, who had accident. We visited him in the hospital and made payment for him to be transfered to another hospital, but he later died.

“While he was being taken to the mortuary, we his friends, including Chidubem were advised to leave the hospital, to avoid trauma. We went to Angel Hotel, feeling very bad, and in the process, one of our friends said that Chiboy would have been here with us, if not for death. In the process, he smashed a bottle in anger.

“The President General of Aguleri community who was in the hotel, involved the police. But before the police came, we had already paid for the bottle and apologized, and Chidubem too had left, to go to Asaba. Police came and arrested us, and when we called Chidubem and told him about the arrest, he now came back to enquire why, saying that he had already paid for the bottles.

“On sighting him, the police operatives held him and started beating him. He was kicked in the chest many times by the DPO of Otuocha Police Station. We were later transferred to SARS (RRS), Awkuzu.

“That was where some inmates beat us up. Chidubem later gave them N4,000 to stop them from beating us. Because of the chest injuries, Chidubem started feeling ill later at night, and wanted to pass out. He demanded for water and there was no water. He snatched one from one inmate, and they started beating him and he passed out, and was taken out of the cell to hospital. That is the much we know.”

Aguleri women protesting Chidubem’s death

Meanwhile, some members the deceased family in Aguleri community have protested the death of the 24 years old Chidubem.

Father of the deceased, Mr Sunday Ezenwa, who spoke to journalists during the protest accused the President General of the community, Barr Ifeanyi Iloakasia of being responsible for their son’s death, blaming him for involving the police, which later led to the death of the boy.

Chidubem’s parents being consoled by relatives.

“Up till now, we have not been told anything about our son, and police has not released his body to us, if assuming he is dead already. We cannot accept that our son, is dead. They should release his body to us if he is dead.”

President General of the community, Barr Ifeanyi Iloakasia who spoke with THE RAZOR however denied any complicity in the matter, saying that he only called in members of the Anambra Vigilante Services (AVG), when the boys started breaking bottles in the hotel and chasing many people around.

“I was not the one that called in the police, but the DPO told us that the boy and his friends have been on their wanted list for cultism.”

A crowd of sympathizers at Chidubem’s parents house

Spokesperson of Anambra State Police command, DSP Tochukwu said those suspected to have been involved in beating up the deceased were murder suspects, who were awaiting arraignment as at the time of the incident. He added that the suspect have been arraigned in court.

“The matter is no longer before us. This happened before the coming of this new CP. The suspects have been arraigned.

Ikenga however failed to state why the corpse was yet to be released to the parents of the deceased for burial.