BY JUDE OSSAI / ENUGU
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A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) called Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL), has petitioned the Inspector-Geneal of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, appealing for intervention in the alleged murder of a 4-year old girl, Zinachukwu Ugwu, in Nsukka, Enugu State.
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The rights group in a letter dated January 28, 2025 made available to Daily News Nigeria is seeking justice, thorough re-investigation and prosecution of the alleged culprits.
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Briefing newsmen on Thursday on the activities of WACOL in the last one year, the Executive Director/Founder of the rights group, Professor Joy Ezeilo (SAN), used the opportunity to give an update on the alleged murder.
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“We are solicitors to Dr & Mrs Ndubuisi Loveth Ugwu, parents of the victim whom we shall refer to as “client “. It is the instructions of our client that their daughter, 4-year-old Miss Zina Ugwu, was brutally killed in her sleep, pulled, and her throat slit by one Nweke Chukwuemeka ‘suspect ‘.
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“This incident happened on 18th August 2024 at about 11.30pm at their residence in Umunwanwa village, Orba Road, Nsukka, Enugu State. Investigations were eventually conducted into the matter by the police, Enugu Command.
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“However, our client is not satisfied with the result of the investigation, which did not indict the Landlord of the said premises, who reportedly prevented men of the vigilante group from accessing the place of the incident and who, being aware of the notorious nature of the suspect gave him accommodation, and also managed a beer parlour close to the said premises where known criminals used to gather, alongside the suspect from time to time.
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“The wife of the Landlord was also reportedly complicit, acting as a pointer for the suspect in the cause of the incident”, Professor Ezeilo said.
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Also speaking to journalists, mother of the slain girl, Madam Ugwu said prior to the killing of her daughter, a co-tenant had taken forceful custody of her other child, adding that the child was being searched for right around the premises, and the said tenant kept quiet until I heard my child’s voice and I began to raise the alarm. The co-tenant claimed that she was giving the child a punishment for wasting her water.
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Corroborating the story of his wife, Dr Ugwu, a Lecturer at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, said, “I am compelled to share the tragic events that have befallen my family and justice was perverted in favour of the perpetrators of the murder.
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Our lives took a devastating turn when our youngest child, Zinachukwu, was brutally murdered while sleeping in our home. As a Lecturer based in Ekiti State, I live in Ekiti where I work. This tragedy has brought unimaginable pain and suffering to my family lives.
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“The attack was unprovoked and there was no prior history of conflict or issues between my family and him. We had no relationship or interaction with him, as we would leave for work and school in the morning and return at night.
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“Initially, the prime suspect was quartered in Landlord’s hotel nearby. He was known to be Landlord’s hitman, confronting anyone who had trouble with the Landlord.
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“I am convinced that the Landlord is connected to the brutal murder of my four-year-old child. Firstly, the landlord was abundantly aware of Chukwu Emeka Nweke’s criminal and destructive nature. Secondly, Chukwu Emeka Nweke openly confessed that the Landlord had paid him one million naira to commit the crime.
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“Thirdly, the Landlord attempted to bribe me to drop the case in the presence of his brother, Dr Augustine Onyishi, his lawyer, Barrister Aro, my brother, Barrister Ikechukwu Ikenyi, and another brother, brother, Augustine Azoka, the Landlord promised to offer me five hundred thousand naira to remove the side of his involvement from the case.
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