The National Assembly has cleared the police of any wrongdoings in their activities at the disputed Enugu Golf and Lifestyle city otherwise known as Centenary city in Enugu south local government area of Enugu State.
It could be recalled that some persons from Obeagu and Amechi-Uwani Awkunanaw communities, had dragged the developers of the estate, Private Estates International West Africa limited (PEIWA), the Enugu state government and two senior officers of Enugu state police command, to the National Assembly over allegations of complicity in multiple assassinations and land grabbing.
The petitioners; Chief Chinweuba Nnaji Aga, Chief Sunday White Nnaji, and Elder Sunday Onuko of Amechi Uwan accused the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Akinbayo Olasoji and SP Chidiebere Ijioma, the commander of Octopus of terrorizing their people in favour of Kingsley Eze and his PEIWA.
However, in their sitting on Tuesday, 30th April, 2024, the committee led by Hon. Mike Etaba which was mandated by the House of Representatives to look into the petition, cleared the police of any wrongdoings.
An independent lawyer sent by the House to verify the veracity of the claims in the petition, told the committee that SP Ijioma only performed his statutory duty of arresting suspected kidnappers in the area and charging them to court as mandated by law.
The lawyer told the committee that the petitioners are acting like ‘Omoniles’ that sold the community land to unsuspecting members of the public and as such, the claims that Ijioma was terrorising their community on the orders of PEIWA is unfounded.
The Lawmakers also warned the petitioners to stop defaming the Nigeria Police in the name of petition especially when they’re doing their lawful duty.
The leaders of the communities which includes; Hon. Onyekwere Nwobodo, Ozo Joseph Nnaji and Engr. Obinna Okorie that also appeared before the committee exonerated the police officers of the allegations.
They told the committee that SP Ijioma has helped in no small way to restore normalcy in their community.
On the allegations of land grabbing against PEIWA, the committee asked the petitioners to seek redress in court if they have any problem with the developer.
