Ologbo: Documents expose possible frame - up of Iyatsere of Warri as ," aggressors " evade police invitation

Petitions addressed to the Director, State Security Service, Department of State Services, DSS , Edo State, the Assistant Inspector - General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, have alleged possible frame - up against the Iyatsere of Warri, Chief Johnson Amatserunleghe.

An Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City, earlier in the week, ruled that Chief Johnson Amatserunleghe, should remain in prison custody till Monday June 27, when his application for bail, would be heard, following charges of  assault, malicious damage and other offences levelled against him.

He was accused to have committed the alleged offences at Ologbo in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo state.

But documents made available to the media Saturday, June 25, claimed  that the controversial arraignment of Chief Amatserunleghe, was initiated by one Mr. Jackson Owenvbiugie Akenzua and his cohorts, with the purported backing of Edo state government and the Benin traditional institution, to enable him (Akenzua) evade police invitation.

According to copies of the petition, the said Mr. Jackson Owenvbiugie Akenzua, was asked to appear before the Deputy Inspector - General of Police, FCIID , through CSP Mohammed Gashua on Thursday 23rd June 2022 by 11:00 am, to state his position on a case of illegal possession and use of firearms, wherein his name featured prominently.

The petition dated June 14, 2022 and signed by DCP Garba Ahmed, directed Mr. Akenzua to come along, " with Ikpase Osamu, Felix Okotie , Stanley Aroja, Oshon Ojo, Joseph Oyemah, Godday Okotie, Johnbosco Nnaji, Patrick Odonmiju, Festus Onyemah, Isaac Keke, Alex Omoghene, Prince Oboro, Damas Iluwa, Amorighoye Oyemah, Doro Oyemah, Ebohon, Bolaji (and) Ogbe Oghenbaye."

Fresh Angle International, understands that the invite of Mr. Akenzua and his cohorts by office of the Deputy Inspector - General of Police, Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Abuja, was preceded by petitions addressed to the Director, State Security Service, DSS, Edo state, the Assistant Inspector - General of Police, Nigeria Police Force, Zone 5 Benin City, Edo state and the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command.

 The petitions bearing different dates, were  titled: " Re ; Illegal possession and use of firearms, inflicting physical injuries on another, willfully placing persons in fear of injury, promoting communal war contrary to sections 2 (3) 3, 15 (1) (b) of the robbery and firearms ( Special Provisions) Act Cap.398 LFN  1990; Section 42 of the criminal code Act; assault occasioning harm , contrary to section 355 of the criminal code Act ; malicious damage of property, endangering of human lives, contrary to sections 451(1) (a) & (b) 2 (a) and attempted murder, contrary to section 316 (2) of the criminal code Act: A formal petition against ( 1) Jackson Owenvbiugie Akenzua ", and his brigade.

The petitioners: Pa. Emmanuel Iyagbe ( Community Head," Olare - Aja) Fred Utieyin ( Community Secretary and Richard Mene ( Community Public Relations Officer) "members of the Executive and accredited representatives of Ologbo Community in Edo state" alleged that Jackson Owenvbiugie Akenzua and his gang, attacked the aboriginal Itsekiris of Ologbo on several occasions, unprovoked.

According to them, the said attack was initiated at about 13:15 hours on the 31st day of December 2021 and progressed from Ologbo waterside, " predominantly populated by persons of Itsekiri ethnic nationality, whose property and persons were apparently the object of  the ferocious visitation, which lasted for several hours."

The petitions written by Amuda  - Kannike ( SAN) & Co, Barristers,,Solicitors & Corporate Consultant, on behalf of the petitioners, added : " The day began as a peaceful and joyous end of year preparation with the construction of and mounting of a new billboard ( belonging to Chief Johnson Amatserunleghe) to replace the former one,,which had been at the entrance of the community ( Ologbo) for several years; the weather having taken its toll on its looks.

" The said facelift, was part of the beautification and clean - up designed towards the annual cultural festival of the people ( Ologbo indigenes) .

" To our uttermost dismay and chagrin, the above named assailants, stormed our community, fully armed with guns, cutlasses and axes, shooting indiscriminately and chanting war songs." 

According to Pa. Iyagbe, Fred Utieyin and Richard Mene,the violence unleashed on Ologbo indigenes, escalated, resulting in the destruction of several valuables, including a patrol vehicle belonging to the Ologbo Divisional Police Officer, the welding machine and accessories used for the construction and mounting of the billboard.

The assailants, allegedly lived up to an earlier threat  to revisit Ologbo, when they purportedly stormed the oil - rich community in the early hours of January 1, 2022 with stronger force and men, destroying buildings and several other property.

Many members of the community, were reportedly, " hit , resulting in grievous injuries, for which some of our people now have their lives hanging on a balance.

"They also attacked the Community on the 12th of February, this year and shot one of our brothers, Mr. Julius Enaife Urenyi. He is still undergoing .

" We, Ologbo indigenes, now live in fear and are unable to go about our normal businesses in apprehension of further attacks, from the said persons, who have demonstrated the capacity and preparedness to wreck havoc at the shortest possible time," they noted in trepidation.

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