The Imo State House of Assembly has received a petition filed by Mr Chika Uchegbulem of Umuezennadi autonomous community in Orlu Council area against some of the operatives of the State owned Imo Security Network.
The petition titled, “Petition against gross abuse of official power, unlawful demolition of property and human right abuse perpetrated by Imo State Government against Mr Chika Uchegbulem, Ngozi Uchegbulem, Chinonso Uchegbulem, Amaka and Uzoma Uchegbulem”, was presented on the hallowed chamber of the House by member representing Ideato North State Constituency, Hon Barr Arthur Innocent Egwim for thorough investigation of the matter.
Meanwhile, a committee has been set up by the House to investigate the issue which allegedly involves destroying of property belonging to the petitioner by the men of Imo Security Network led by one Mr Emma Nwannam between 2011 and 2012.
Narrating his ordeal to Trumpeta reporter who visited the place, Mr Chika Uchegbulem said that he was coming back from school run when some men of Imo Security Network blocked him in his motorcycle telling him that one Mr Emma Nwannam is calling him. Before he could know what is happening, he has been arrested by the men telling him that he is a kidnapper, that his name is in the black list of Imo State Government.
Still narrating his ordeal, Mr Uchegbulem said, “We are grossly humiliated by the agents of Imo State Government who without any justification, proof, and or genuine reasons subjected us to a unwholesome acts of abuse leading to physical and mental torture and unlawful detention of Chika Uchegbulem’s son of late Mr John Uchegbulem and rendering me and my siblings destitute refuge and homeless in our own town, State and country”.
Chika Uchegbulem further stated that the demolition of their family house comprises of a storey building (Duplex containing 5 rooms in the upstairs and 5 rooms in the downstairs) with six (6) rooms boys quarters bungalow with movable and immovable properties including 20,000 fishes and a poultry farm with 50,000 chickens were destroyed and the fishes, chickens and valuable properties amounting to 200,000,000 (Two hundred million naira) belonging to them were forcefully taken away by members of Imo State Security Network, who were acting under the instruction of Imo State Government.
Mr Uchegbulem revealed that sometimes in December 2011 and June 2012, Mr Emma Nwannam, the then coordinator of Imo State Security Network, Ihioma Orlu and Bon Ohiri, the then special assistant to Imo State Government on security matters for unjust reason, propelled by sheer vendetta and abuse of office trumped up allegation of kidnapping against him as well as arresting and detaining him severally at the Police Area Command, Orlu and State Criminal Investigation Department of Imo State Police Command.
It was gathered that the Police who constitutionally saddled with the investigation of any criminal matters took up the investigation of the allegation leveled against Chika and before the police could finish their investigation against the victim, the same agents of Imo government led by Chief Bon Ohiri, the then SA to Imo State Government on Security and Mr Emma Nwannam, the then Coordinator of Imo Security Network, Orlu zone, mobilized bulldozers, and forcefully entered into their family house built by their late father, Mr John Uchegbulem, publicly tortured and humiliated his siblings and chased them out of their father’s house and demolished the building belongings to their father and carted away personal valuable of the victims resulting them to be refugees destitute and homeless.
Mr Uchegbulem disclosed that he had earlier petitioned the Inspector General of Police against the abuse he suffered where the then Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) incharge of Zone 9 Umuahia, Abia State was assigned to investigate the case for which the Investigation Police Office, IPO incharge of the case, one Mr Uwakwe declared the case file missing.
The victim informed this Newspaper that Emma Nwannam led Security Network team instead of adhering to the investigation from Zone 9 went ahead to re-arrest him at Imo State Police Command where he was detained for more than 2 months, “The Security Network led by Emma Nwannam demolished our house and other properties when I was in police custody”, he said.
Responding, the SSA to Governor Rochas Okorocha declined knowledge of the incident noting that it is only the commandment of Imo Government Security Council has right to demolish property of any kidnapper.
Earlier, the members for Orlu State Constituency, Hon Max Odunze said that he is aware of the incident that took place in Ihioma, as he said that with the petition brought before the house by Chika Uchegbulem that he assures him that investigation panel will be set by the Speaker to bring justice to the family.
It would be recalled that the State House of Assembly is currently investigating the issues that led to the suspension of Eze CSO Okeafor, the traditional ruler of Nnemato autonomous community in Ihioma, Orlu Council Area of Imo State.
Only few weeks ago, operatives of ISN allegedly killed a youth in Orlu community. Angered youths of the area took the deceased corpse to Orlu LGA Secretariat where police released teargas to scare the protesters.
