By ikenna orioha
Following Ezeship struggle in Imo state, Mr Christopher Ibe, a driver to Mr B.B Ohanaga, the Eze-elect of Umuaghara Onicha Nwenkwo autonomous community in Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA, is said to have been shot dead at his residence on Sunday 13th June, 2013, about 2 am, by assassins allegedly hired by Mr Ifeanyi Uwahemu, an opponent to Mr B.B Ohanaga.
Narrating the incident to Trumpeta Newspaper, Mr Emmanuel Ahaghotu, the youth leader of Onicha Nwenkwo autonomous community, said that on 13th May 2013, about 2am, some group of hired assassins who were led by their king-pin, Mr Kelechi Maduako, now at large, shot and killed Mr Christopher Ibe and raped his 13 years old daughter at his house, as they could not get the Eze-elect, Mr Bakasin.
Mr Ahaghotu thanked the “State Robbery Squad Unit”, (SARS), for their efforts in apprehending the suspects who are currently remanded in prison custody by Itu Ezinihitte Mbaise Magistrate Court till 19th august, 2013. He said the murderers comprised of assassins from PortHarcourt who connived with the assassins, Mr Kelechi Mbasiako, to murder the Eze-elect, his driver and family.
The youth leader averred that Barr Chima, who was the main opponent to Mr Bakason over the Ezeship stool, congratulated him (Bakason) over his victory, saying Barr Chima is the cause of the problem even though Mr Uwahemo paraded himself as the substantive Eze-elect. Efforts made so far to reach Barr Chima met dead horse.
Speaking also, Mr B.B Ohanaga, the Eze-elect, said that assassins who were earlier intercepted by the active youths of the area, later turned back to shot his driver dead. He said the victim is a trustworthy person who has worked with him for over 15 years.
He further alleged that the killers were sent to kill him and his family but could not before they went to his driver’s house and killed him in cold-blood, leaving his family in misery and penury.
Mr Bakason hinted that the death of his obedient driver affected him so much because he knows every detail about the Ezeship contest. He said the struggle started in 2009 when he overwhelmingly won his opponents because the people loved him so much. Pointing out that Mr Ifeanyi went through the back door and was given staff of office by the then administration with N4m bribe, even though he (Ifeanyi) did not show up on the day of the election, which prompted his dethronement by the Imo State House of Assembly.
However, the wife of the deceased, Mrs Leona Ibe, told journalists that his 57 years old husband was killed at the corridor of their house after being dragged out from his room by the killers, as well as raped his daughter who is 13 years old.
The master mind of the offence, Mr Ifeanyi Uwaheme was napped by the SARS on June 26th, 2013 in his hideout in Owerri alongside Hilary Nwahiri, Ibeawuchi Obasi, Matthew Ndubueze while Ndubuisi Edom, Fine Boy Keke, Onyemachi Iheonunekwu and Sabinus Okoro are still at large.
