Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
The Nigerian Army Friday handed over the traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom in Delta State, Clement Ikolo Oghenerukvwe, to the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Ede Dafinone.
It was in Okuama Community under Ewu Kingdom that the killing of 17 military personnel took place.
Speaking at the handing over of the traditional ruler, the Director Army Public Relations, Maj Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, said the Nigerian Army Headquarters reviewed every available information on the incident which showed that no evidence of culpability was established against the monarch but also noted that there was insufficient evidence to exonerate anyone at this stage.
“Following the gruesome and reprehensible killing of 17 Nigerian Army personnel in the Okuama community of Delta State on 14 March 24, a manhunt was launched for those suspected to have perpetrated, directed, supported, or knew about the incident with a view to bringing those culpable to justice.
In this light, HRH Clement Ikolo Oghenerukvwe the King of Ewu Kingdom, in whose domain the dastardly act took place, surrendered to the Nigerian Police, who in turn handed him over to the Nigerian Army.
He stated that since his surrender, the Nigerian Army had painstakingly reviewed every available information on the incident “and has come to some preliminary observations and inferences, one of which is that, while culpability has not been conclusively established against the traditional ruler, there is insufficient evidence, to exonerate anyone at this stage.
“Nevertheless, on the intervention of Distinguished Senator Dafinone, representing Delta South and his vouching for the monarch’s character.and the fact that the monarch voluntarily turned himself in, for questioning, it has been decided that His Highness be released to the Distinguished Senator, who has agreed to act as surety for his release on the condition that be will always assist the Nigerian Army and other agencies of government investigating the Okuama killing incident to have access to the monarch whenever needed”.
Nwachukwu said the army was handing over the royal father to the lawmaker as a known national political figure.
“The Nigeria Army hereby releases the HRH Clement Ikolo Oghenerukvwe the king of Ewu kingdom to Distinguished Senator Dafinone representing Delta South as a responsible national political figure.
“Members of the public and international community are to note that the release of the traditional ruler speaks to NA’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and justice.
“The Nigeria, therefore, wishes to, by this gesture, encourage others to make themselves available for questioning and that they are guaranteed fair and decent treatment and will be strictly subjected to constitutional provisions for handling such cases if found culpable”, he said.
