UMUAHIA, Abia State – The quest for justice in the Okon-Aku crisis has taken a contentious turn as a Magistrate Court in Umuahia declined jurisdiction over the case involving five suspects linked to the violence. Furthermore, the matter has allegedly been ordered transferred to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The suspects were arraigned on Monday for a possible remand order, but the presiding magistrate stepped aside from the case. This procedural shift has been followed by reports of a directive from Abuja mandating the transfer of the entire case file for what authorities term a “proper investigation.”
The development has sparked unease among observers and stakeholders in Ohafia Local Government Area, where the crisis occurred. A primary concern is the alleged reframing of the case’s focus. Reliable sources indicate that discussions have pivoted away from the central issue—the killing of a young man, late Igwe Akuma—toward the burning of houses during the unrest.
Community members and civil society observers are raising alarms, insisting that justice must not be selective. They stress that the loss of human life should remain the unequivocal focus of the investigation and any subsequent prosecution.
“There is a growing call for caution among public office holders,” a community representative stated, warning that “influence and political connections should not be used to frustrate justice, as where one person’s contacts stop, another person’s contact begins.”
Amid the legal maneuvering, residents have made a direct appeal to Governor Alex Otti to ensure the immediate and lasting restoration of peace in Okon-Aku. Their core demand remains clear: that all individuals responsible for the killing of Igwe Akuma be identified, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The transfer of the case to Abuja places it under national scrutiny, with many awaiting the next steps from the Force Headquarters.
—
