Catholic priest Fr. Chibuzo Emmanuel Obimma, popularly known as Fr. Ebube Muonso, has accused the Anambra State Police Command and Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration of shielding those responsible for the murder of Hon. Justice Azuka.
Fr. Muonso alleged that the late lawmaker, who represented Onitsha 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly under the Labour Party (LP), was assassinated for not being a member of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
He further claimed that influential figures behind Azuka’s abduction and killing bribed the police, who then enabled the escape of two suspects arrested in connection with the crime.
Calling on the people of Onitsha to demand justice for their slain representative, Fr. Muonso warned that Azuka’s spirit would not rest until justice was served.
In a video obtained cited by SaharaReporters on Thursday, the cleric said, “He (Azuka) was not from APGA but the Labour Party. The suspects were apprehended and were handed over to the Anambra State Police.
“How come that the two of them escaped from custody? You can imagine, only two of them. Who is deceiving who? Anambra State should rise.
“That means it was a political killing and those involved have bribed their way because they wouldn’t want those suspects to expose them. Who is deceiving who in this?
“Two major suspects and there is still a government in the state. Inhumanity of man to man. Once you are connected to the powers that be, you are under perpetual immunity.
“But let everybody, even Charles Soludo, remember that there is God in anything you are doing in this world.”
He further questioned why the people of Onitsha had remained silent, urging them to rise and demand answers from the government.
“I have said it earlier that you are on your own. There is a strange demonic force and wind that is hovering around Anambra people.
“Once you are connected, you are above the law. Even those kidnappers were linked to high profiles, even some PGs (President Generals) were mentioned, and some Igwes (traditional rulers).”
He added, “Where are they today? None of them have been arrested because they bribed their way. Soludo is not in charge of this state at all.”
Accusing the government of orchestrating a cover-up, Fr. Muonso stated, “They wanted to cover somebody. They wanted to cover a crime, and that is why they quietly allowed those people to escape in order to cover up.
“Onitsha people, you must rise. You must ask the government of Anambra State for the killers of your brother, else, the spirit of Azuka will not rest.
“And so many people who have been killed in Anambra State and covered just like that, let their spirits arise and fight.”
Meanwhile, it would be recalled that the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, had earlier confirmed in a statement that two suspects linked to Azuka’s murder had escaped from police custody.
According to Ikenga, preliminary investigations revealed the suspects had been assisting officers in an operation to apprehend a receiver of stolen goods and recover the criminals’ operational vehicles.
However, it was discovered that the police issued this statement eight days after the escape, raising suspicions about a possible cover-up.
Furthermore, the police have refused to disclose the identities of the fugitives or provide full details regarding their escape.
In response, the Labour Party caucus in the Anambra State House of Assembly accused the police of deliberately facilitating the suspects’ escape to ensure that Azuka’s killers evade justice.
The lawmakers expressed concern that more than a week after the escape, no effort had been made to re-arrest the suspects, reinforcing suspicions that Azuka’s murder was politically motivated.
