Former Anambra lawmaker, others accused of criminal invasion, threat to life

The Agulu Community in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State has accused one of its indigenes and former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon Azubuike Okoye, of leading a group of thugs to invade Agulu Town Hall, destroying valuable properties.

In a petition letter addressed to the state Commissioner of Police and signed by Chief Oliver Afamefuna, the National President, Agulu People’s Union, Azubuike Okoye and his thugs were said to have invaded the Town Hall of Agulu People’s Union on January 26, 2021 in an attempt to unleash terror.

They allegedly overpowered the security men on duty and broke into the facility, carting away official files and cash of N385,000.

The Union lamented that the “breach of peace and act of criminality committed by these suspects and hoodlums who took laws into their hands by breaking into the Town Hall to cause mayhem and loot public properties belonging to the Union,” remained a slap on the face of the peace and tranquility enjoyed by the Agulu Community.

The petition also alleged a threat to life of the President-General of Agulu People’s Union by Azubuike Okoye and his hired hoodlums.

“We make bold to say that the lives of the President General of Agulu People’s Union and that of other National Officers are now in serious danger as these hoodlums are not stopping at anything in hunting and terrorising our President General and other National Officers,” the petition read in part.

They recalled how, prior to the elections of Agulu People’s Union Nig on December 30, 2020, Azubuike Okoye employed all manner of violent and non-violent tactics to distort the peaceful electoral process, which they said, was largely unsuccessful. They further reported that the outcome of the free and fair elections, which were unfavorable to him, did not deter him from causing more mayhem in the community.

“Shockingly, on January 8, 2021, the Commissioner for Local Government in conspiracy with some staff of the Ministry, conspired for their selfish interests to impose a Caretaker Committee led by one Prof Josephat Ogbuagu as Chairman. The purported appointment of the Caretaker Committee is in line with the dubious letter earlier written by Azubuike Okoye to the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community affairs, aimed at forcing a Caretaker Committee on the Community,” they regretted.

The Union urged the Police Commissioner to use his good office and intervene in the issue. They prayed his to conduct thorough investigations on the reported criminal activities of Azubuike Okoye and his cronies and bring them to justice if found guilty. This they said will bring an end to criminality in the community and restore peace and unity.