Enugu Royal Father Raises Alarm over Threat to Life, Petitions PSC, IGP

…As PSC awaits report from IGP over complaints

Chiemelie Ezeobi 

The traditional ruler of Nara-Unateze Community in Enugu State, Igwe Ifeanyi Ogbu (Eze Odenigbo Il) has sent a save-my-soul plea to the Chairman, Police Service Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase and office of the Inspector General of Police, over alleged threat to his life.

In the petition, he alleged that a serving Commissioner of Police in charge of Special Enquiry Bureau (SEB) at the Force headquarters, Abuja and a policeman under his supervision connived to fraudulently obtain a suspicious bankers order through the back door from Nasarawa State with which they caused his business accounts domiciled with the First Bank of Nigeria Plc, to be illegally frozen.

Narrating the circumstances that led to the alleged act, Igwe Ogbu in the petition to Arase said he was embarrassed when he was to make withdrawals from the bank on 4th of March, 2023 for his businesses and was informed by the bank that his accounts were red flagged and directed to contact one CP. A. Ibrahim and CSP Sunny Amison.

 Igwe Ogbu stressed that the action of the police was in total disregard with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police Force Headquarters Abuja who directed discontinuation and transfer of any case being investigated at Abuja to Zone-13 Headquarters, Ukpo-Dunukofia for harmonisation therefore avoid duplicity. 

 In a petition entitled: S.O.S against CP. A. Ibrahim and CSP Sunny Amison attached to SEB-section, FCIID, Abuja and for criminally undermining the order and directives if IGP, making false statements under oaths and solemn declaration, unlawful freezing of bank accounts using a fraudulently obtained banker’s order, flagrantly stalling an ongoing criminal investigation at Zone 13, Ukpo against IGP’s existing directives, the Royal father called for immediate action against the erring officials.

According to him, the case which is presently pending at the Police Zonal Headquarters, Ukpo – Dunukofia, Anambra State is a case in which the Inspector-General of Police, FHQ, Abuja directed should be investigated and the needful done.

The petitioner who resides and does his business at Enugu wondered why the choice of a Magistrates Court sitting in  Mararaba, Nasarawa State to obtain a Banker’s Order to freeze his private bank accounts entirely outside the jurisdiction of Nasarawa State assuming but not conceding to any matter being handled at the FCID, Abuja with several High Courts situate within the FCT to be approached.

“For all intents and purposes, IAEGO Ventures Limited which account is frozen by the Police is a company registered bona-fide,” he disclosed.

 The Igwe opined strongly that the whole essence of flagging his bank accounts and emplacing Post-No-Debit restrictions is to use same as bait to lure him out after destroying his palace and besieged with intimidating characters who  pokes on every movement he made.

Igwe Ogbu said it beats his imagination that CSP Sunny Amison and others could be allowed in a disciplined organisation to belittle the much respected office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, FCIID, and turning it to an instrument of criminal oppression even as the officer  calls and make untenable demands. 

A petition dated 2nd February, 2023 amongst others were quoted and IGP’s letter dated 7th Feb. 2023 while also making reference to total disregard for the Directives of the Inspector-General of Police, vide; CB: 4001/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.191/46 dated 29th December, 2022, on the standard for police Investigation and harmonisation applicable to all formations of the Force for sanctity and guide against duplicity of purpose. 

The Igwe reiterates that there is no gainsaying that the political atmosphere in the South-East coupled with activities of the unknown gunmen which have led to the gruesome killing of a prominent sons of his Zone, including late Chief, Barr. Oyibo Chukwu among other unresolved high profile killings in Enugu East LGA as issues for concern.

“I am disturbed, today my accounts are frozen without any link to illicit transactions and no one knows what action is next on the sleeves. 

“In this light, I am crying out to the world to hear me and to hold CP. A Ibrahim and CSP Sunny Amison liable should anything untoward happen to me even as I am passionately pleading, for your IGP to swiftly intervene to save this crying, yet agonising soul from avoidable ugly stories.”

Meanwhile, Attorney to the royal father has set in motion and forwarded a copy of a suit instituted by him against the Inspector General of Police, CP A. Ibrahim. CSP Sunny Amison, First Bank Plc and Hon. V.V. Manga in pursuit of Enforcement of his fundamental human rights and fundamental rights enforcement procedure in an Enugu High court against the respondents.

Reacting to the petition, Spokesman of the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani said; “The petition to the Chairman on the above subject matter has been referred to the Inspector General of Police for further investigation and necessary action. The commission will be awaiting report of the investigation from the IGP.”