By Ikeugonna Eleke
The Police in Anambra State have explained the recent escape of two suspects arrested in connection with the murder of a member of Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Justice Azuka.
The suspects were said to have escaped while in police custody, sparking a lot of condemnation against the Command, with many insisting that some personnel of the Command might have aided the escape.
But setting the record straight in a press conference on Friday, February 21, the new Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ikioye Orutugu, explained that the incident happened before his arrival at the Command. He also took time to explain how it happened.
‘When I took over as the Commissioner, I said the Command would be very open, so I’m here to give insight into the recent case of the escape of two suspects arrested in connection with the killing of a lawmaker.
‘The incident happened two days before I assumed office. By this I mean that the incident had happened before I arrived. A lot of information have been out there, and people have been having their opinions, and there is nothing wrong with that as this is a democracy.
‘However, there is need to keep the facts straight. My findings show that the incident happened on 8 February in Obosi. The two suspects, Ikemefuna Ossai and Chinedu Okoli, are among 11 suspects who confessed and already paraded.
‘The two are not the principal suspects. They are drivers that drove vehicles for the suspects and that is not to say they have a right to escape. The principal suspects are intact.
‘The two were taken out for further arrests. A suspect, Tochukwu Okolisa, from Anambra, was identified as the buyer of the jeep and belongings of the lawmaker. So to lure him in, the suspects were allowed to drive and also tell him they had another vehicle for sale.
‘It was during the operation to arrest Tochukwu that the suspects drove off, abandoned the vehicle and escaped into the bush,’ the CP said.
He however assured that police were doing everything possible to ensure their arrest, adding that there was no need to panic as the principal suspects were still with them.
