The Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) has called on Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State to resist pressure being mounted on him to interfer in the prosecution of Ebonyi lawyer under trial for murder case.
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In a letter to the governor signed by Comrade Kindness Jonah, from CLO office in Enugu and made available to journalists yesterday, the rights group alleged plots by the family of the accused lawyer, Sunday Ununu, to send a delegation of elders from their village to meet the governor for him to order non prosecution and discharge of the murder charges against the lawyer.
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Recall that the murder suspect, Ununu while celebrating election of new land Power of Attorney of Izzi Unuphu community in Abakaliki local government area of the state fired a hand gun severally into the air and in the process shot one Nnamdi Ugo Nwite, who was later confirmed dead in the hospital.
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The lawyer was subsequently arrested by the police and charged with murder and illegal possession of police gun at an Abakaliki Magistrate’s Court where he was remanded in prison custody pending his trial at the High Court on the advise of the State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
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But in the letter to Governor Nwifuru entitled, “Refers: CLO petitioned you on the most callous and wicked killing of Mr Nnamdi Nwite by Barr Sunday Ununu on 22nd August, 2024 using unwarranted police pistol (brand named Baretta),” the rights group alleges plots to mount pressure on the governor to enter nolle Prosequi (don’t prosecute) in the ongoing murder trial.
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The letter reads, “The tactful killing of Mr Nnamdi Ugo Nwite: CLO gathers a clandestine scheme to conscript elders of the village to come to you as the Chief Security Officer of the state to circumvent Justice by ordering non prosecution and discharge of the murders suspect: Barrister Sunday Ununu.
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“CLO has nosed a clandestine scheme to convolute the course of justice dispensation in the callous killing of Mr. Nnamdi Nwite in a feat-show of braggadocio by the proud Barr Sunday Ununu, who hails from Okpanku Village in Okpuitumo Community in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
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“Note that in the petition, CLO had notified you that one Sergeant Emeka Nwali had been also killed in suspicious circumstances after his gun (brand name Baretta pistol) was stolen.
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“In the prismatic circumstance surrounding the killing of the Sergeant, CLO had informed you that the primary accused, one Hon Joseph Ununu, the elder brother to Barr Sunday Ununu, was discharged and acquitted courtesy of the order of nolle prosequi entered into by the then Governor, Engr Dave Umahi.
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“Until the matter as reported to CLO, the said Beretta pistol had not been found, and concomitantly, the same brand name of a pistol was used to kill Mr. Nnamdi Nwite by Barr Sunday Ununu.
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“Your Excellency, CLO is very happy with your stand on any issue involving human rights violation by your tacit vow not to use your good position and elevated office to alter the course of justice in your administration.
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“Anchored on this positive disposition, CLO has every faith that, whereas the accused hails from the same Izzi Clan with you, there cannot be any correlation between dispensation of justice in this matter and any ethnocentric view by you.
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“For the indubitable fact that Barr Sunday Ununu used unwarranted gun in showoff of his ego, and in the process took away the precious life of Mr. Nnamdi Nwite, and for the undoubtable fact that his elder brother had been a primary suspect in the missing gun of late Sergeant Emeka Nwali, and owing to the fact that the said Baretta pistol of the Sergeant was said to have been mischievously used by Barr Sunday Ununu in the killing of Nnamdi Nwite.
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“And now that there appears a believable harmony in this convoluted killing between the killing of Sergeant Emeka Nwali and the forced demise of Mr. Nnamdi Nwite, CLO believes that a beeline justice is gravely needed to call equity to order in this circumstance, and get the guilty lawfully punished as a deterrent to others.
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“This is the avowed stance of CLO in this matter, and as CLO believes in your stipulated equitable disposition, there is parity of your position with that of CLO in this unfortunate incident.
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“Also be in the know Your Excellency that CLO used the word “conscripting” to denote the fate of the elders being summoned to come to you. It is of clear evidence that the said elders, hitherto mandated to appear, are forced to show off willy-nilly. This is against their human rights, and CLO as the avatar of justice is clearly against it. Hence, this petition to you”.
