Invasion of Ogwashi - Uku Palace: Ex - NBA Chairman, others charged for terrorism

Chief Mike Nwaukoni, Managing Director of Migfo Nigeria Limited  has been indicted for Terrorism, attempted murder; just as Barrister Francis Okolie(A.K.A Mayor of Ogwashi-Uku) and four others charged with terrorism, attempted murder at Federal High Court Asaba in Ogwashi-Uku Palace invasion.

As traditional rulers in Nigeria battle against threats and insecurity to their lives, the Nigeria Police indicted the said Chief Nwaukoni, who is the Managing Director of Migfo Nigeria Limited in charge number FHC/ASB/18C/2024 for terrorism, causing intercommunal war, levying war on a traditional ruler, attempted murder and  destruction of  police and vigilante vehicle while formally preferring charges against  Barrister Francis Okolie(A.K.A Mayor of Ogwashi-Uku) and 4 other persons.  

Some of the charges which carry up to life imprisonment came at the end of a five-month long investigation, which was conducted based on a petition written to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and Inspector General of Police (IGP). 

Although Chief Mike Nwaukoni has not yet been formally charged, his name appears conspicuously in charge No FHC/ASB/18C/2024 in what seems to be an ostensible bid by the Police to dispel the insinuations that Chief Mike Nwaukoni had infiltrated the top hierarchy of the Nigeria Police.

A confidential  source with close connections to the Police revealed to this reporter that Chief Mike Nwaukoni has been elusive, evasive and refused to honour the several police invitations extended to him by the Police Headquarters, Asaba. 

The source revealed that the Inspector General of Police proceeded to prefer charges against the alleged co-conspirators of Chief Mike Nwaukoni which include Barrister Francis Okolie(a.k.a Mayor of Ogwashi-Uku) Adigwe Eluemunor Sunday , Elue Adigwe, Eugene Ojo Izediunor,  John Nwaona while it awaits the appearance of Mike Nwaukoni.  

Our on-ground investigations in Ogwashi-Uku revealed that the charges were based on an alleged invasion of the Palace of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom in October 2023. 

Chief Mike Nwaukoni was alleged to have mobilized the defendants and other gun-toting thugs in an apparent attempt to take over the Palace of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom. 

The thugs allegedly opened gun fire at the Palace staff, vigilante members and police officers securing the Palace gate on the instructions of Chief Mike Nwaukoni.  

In the course of the alleged attack, a member of the local vigilante was shot, while several persons sustained varying degrees of injuries.  

In what may appear to have given the incident more impetuous is the allegations that the Police Hilux used by the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ogwashi-Uku, and the Vehicles belonging to the local Vigilantes sustained damage and were vandalized by the defendants and the gun-toting thugs accompanying Chief Mike Nwaukoni.  

The incident which is said to have happened in full public glare and captured in video seems to have made any cover-ups almost impossible.

Other suspects in the Palace invasion said to be at large include Papa Esedebe, Chidinma Ofuasi and Emeka Izediunor. 

Unnamed sources confirm that arrest warrants have been issued for all the remaining suspects currently at large. 

Attempts to reach Barrister Francis Okolie(A.K.A Mayor of Ogwashi-Uku) for his comments proved abortive as his phone lines available to our reporter were switched off. 

A visit to his office yielded no results as he was said to have gone to court.

When contacted, the Palace Secretary of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku confirmed knowledge of the investigation but declined making any comment on the incident.  

Our reporters shall continue to monitor the case as it unfolds.

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