Civil Rights Realization and
Advancement Network (CRRAN) have petitioned the Police Service Commission
on the urgent need to sanitize the Nigeria Police Force as the Enugu Police
Command police despite several protests, charged six (6) year- old Chibuike Oramalu
to court for murder before an Enugu magistrate court.
In a letter dated Friday, July 29,
2016, CRRAN president, Olu Omotayo Esq on behalf of the organization, reminded
the commission of several petitions written by them, protesting the arrest and
detention of six year- old Chiuike Oramalu for the alleged murder of another minor, twelve year-old Oluebube
Boniface.
“We write to you in respect of the
above-mentioned, which had earlier commanded your attention via several
petitions sent to you when this matter occurred. We started the massive
campaign for the release of Chibuike Oramalu on Saturday 9th day of July
2016 when the 6 year- old was taken into custody at the State Criminal
and Investigation Department (State CID), Police Headquarters, Enugu, on 30th
May 2016 and was finally released on the 13th July 2016.
“During the unlawful six weeks
sojourn of Chibuike Oramalu, in Police cell at the State CID, Enugu, the Police
Commissioner, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu had maintained that Chibuike was in
“protective custody.” CRRAN petitioned.
Folakeinvestigates gathered that on
Sunday, May 29, 2016, while Mrs. Oramalu was away for the church service, the
son of her employer, Chukwunanu Oforma, a National Youth Corps member asked
little Chibuike and his ten (10) year old elder brother, Ifeanyichukwu to
clean and tidy up his father, Mr. Edwin Oformas’ room.
While Ifeanyichukwu was sweeping,
Chibuike was said to have been lying on bed where his saw a gun near the bed
and carried it and showed the gun to the brother Ifeanyichukwu who asked
him to return the gun immediately.
Chibuike was said to be returning the
gun when he mistakenly pulled the trigger and a shot went off, shattered
the glass window of the room, pierced the wall of the next building out to
the other side and went to hit twelve (12) year- old late Oluebube Boniface on
the chest, killing him instantly.
This incidence led to the arrest and
detention of Chibuike on Sunday, May 29,
2016 at their residence, No. 5/7, Robito Crescent, Independence Layout,
behind Government House, Enugu, where Chibuike’s mother, Mrs.Oramalu works as a
cleaner and house keeper.
Chibuike Miracle Oramalu, a primary
2 pupil was later taken into custody at the State Criminal and
Investigation Department (State CID), Police Headquarters, Enugu.
The case took another dimension
today Friday, July 29, 2016 when the Investigating Police Officer, IPO in-charge
of the case called Mrs. Oramalu, Chibuike’s mother to bring him to the police Headquarters.
And on getting there, the IPO proceeded to the Magistrate Court with Chibuike
and Edwin Oforma, the owner of the said gun who had earlier reported to
the Police.
At the Magistrate Court, Police
filed a charge of conspiracy and murder against Chibuike and Edwin Oforma
while, Oforma was also charged with unlawful possession of a Zebra English
made double barrel gun.
Chibuikes’ mother was said to have
quickly made a call to CRRAN to inform them about the new development as they
were being taken court and CRRAN promptly made appearance in court on behalf of
Chibuike Oramalu.
At the court, the learned
Magistrate, Hillary Asogwa, after listening to CRRAN submission, agreed
that the 6 year- old boy is incapable of committing murder and as such could
not be remanded in prison custody.
The Magistrate therefore released
Chibuike Oramalu on bond to the mother but went ahead to remand Mr. Edwin
Oforma in prison for murder and unlawful possession of a double barrel
gun.
CRRAN salutes the courage and wisdom
of Magistrate Hillary Asogwa in his judgment. “We salute the courage and wisdom
of His Worship, Hillary Asogwa in his judgment in this matter and we know
that, with likes of him on the bench, there is greater hope for the judiciary
in this country.” CRRAN said.
In lieu of the above, CRRAN has submitted
that the arraignment of 6 year- old Chibuike today Friday, July 29, 2016
for murder by the Police is a mockery and abuse of administration of justice
in the country.
The organization added that the
Police Service Commission has to live up to its responsibility by saving
the Nigeria Police Force and the country in general, from this type of
embarrassment.
“We also appeal to kind hearted
Nigerians to assist, in any way they can to help the mother of Chibuike
whose house cleaning job has already been terminated by the unfortunate incident
and she has also lost the benefit of the accommodation given to her by her
former employer.
“We also appeal to kind hearted
Nigerians to assist the family of Ukwa Boniface financially to pay for
the post mortem as requested by the Police and the burial of their 12 year
-old son, Oluebube Boniface, who died in the incident, his father is a
poor commercial tricycle operator. “ CRRAN concluded.
The very disturbing question is: why
would the IPO handling the case be hell bent on sending the 6 year- old boy
to prison by whatever means?
