By Our correspondent
November 22nd, 2024, is a day that will forever be etched in the memory of Gilbert Igwuegbe and his family from Ezinife Village, Okpuno, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
On that fateful day, Gilbert Igwuegbe watched in horror as his 26-year-old son, Chukwuemeka Igwuegbe, was brutally beaten to death by a group of men.
The events leading up to Chukwuemeka’s death began when Gilbert Igwuegbe returned from his farm on October 22nd, 2024, to find the men beating his son in front of their compound.
When he inquired about the reason for the beating, one of the men, Obumneme Benjamin Obidunma, slapped him and accused Chukwuemeka of stealing a turkey and plantains from a farm belonging to Prince Chinedu Okafor, the Chairman of Awka South Local Government Area.
Gilbert Igwuegbe demanded that the men take his son to the police station, but instead, they continued to beat him until he lost consciousness.
The men also destroyed Gilbert Igwuegbe’s property, chased away his tenants, and stole his household items.
In a petition titled “Petition on the Murder of Chukwuemeka Igwuegbe at Ezinife Village, Okpuno, Anambra State,” Gilbert Igwuegbe accused Prince Chinedu Okafor of masterminding his son’s murder.
The petition named several individuals, including Chukwunoso Benjamin Obidunma, Obumneme Benjamin Obidunma, Izuchukwu Obidunma, Obiora Nwoye Obidunma, Mmorah Okeke, Ikechukwu Okeke, and Chinwendu Okoye.
Prince Chinedu Okafor has denied any involvement in Chukwuemeka’s death, claiming that he had no reason to be involved.
However, he acknowledged that Chukwuemeka and others had been stealing from his farm.
The Igwuegbe family, it was gathered, has been constantly threatened and harassed by Prince Chinedu Okafor’s family, who have been trying to take over their land.
Gilbert Igwuegbe has petitioned the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, and other authorities to intervene in the matter and bring justice to his family.
The case has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for Prince Chinedu Okafor to be held accountable for his actions.
The Anambra State Government has promised to investigate the matter and ensure that justice is served.
