OYC flays Uzodinma’s aide for alleged meddling in child trafficking case

By COLLINS OSUJI, Owerri

The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has accused Imo State Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Cyprian Akaolisa, of meddling in a child trafficking case involving Mrs. Chinyere Ohanyere and Ngozi Eboson.

It also alleged that while the case was ongoing, Akaolisa was using his powers to subvert justice and ensure the release of the suspects.

It, therefore, urged President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Hope Uzodimma to restrain Akaolisa from interfering in the case.

President of OYC, Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, who briefed the press in Owerri, further alleged that Akaolisa had gone to the court twice to ensure that the suspects were released without being prosecuted.

Igboayaka, however, commended the police prosecution team for opposing the move and the jury for overruling the application to free the suspects without recourse to legal procedures and litigations.

“This is purely a case against the law, against humanity and should be thoroughly handled. This is to bring Akaolisa’s stance to the knowledge of President Buhari, the National Assembly, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and Governor Uzodinma in a case of child trafficking, currently in court.

“It is disheartening and unacceptable that the Attorney General of Imo state was in court on November 17 and November 23, 2021, during court sittings in attempts to free the suspects and hand over the children to them.

“While commending the police for arresting Ohanyere and Eboson and arraigning them in court, we urge them not to succumb to any pressure or threats, but ensure that the case is dispensed in accordance with the law,” he stated.

He added that while the group had not declared anybody guilty on the matter, it was monitoring the progress of the case and waiting on the law court to deliver a just verdict on the matter.

It cautioned those who want to impede justice in the matter to immediately desist from doing so, “because we will go to every length to expose the characters who want to subvert justice.”

When contacted, Akaolisa, who said nobody had petitioned his office on the case, questioned the authority of the youth to address the press on an issue that was clearly beyond their purview.

He argued that as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, he had the right, under the law, to determine who should be prosecuted after a review of the circumstances surrounding the case. (The Guardian)