Human rights activist and lawyer, Kenechukwu Okeke has reportedly been murdered in Anambra state.
His family made the disclosure to Daily Post on Thursday, stating that Okeke was allegedly macheted by his attackers numbering seven in his compound and a keg of fuel poured on him before he was lit up and left to burn to death.
The controversial activist had filed criminal complaints before a magistrate court in Abuja against 50 persons over their alleged involvement in #EndSARS protests last year.
Some of the persons listed in the suit include Nigerian football star, Kanu Nwankwo, musicians’ Folarin Falana, better known as Falz, Innocent Idibia aka Tubaba, and David Adeleke better known as Davido.
Daily Post reports that Okeke was killed in Nkpor, near Onitsha, Anambra State, in the presence of his wife, Mrs Blessing Odinakachi Okeke and his little daughter.
Okeke’s wife was quoted as saying; “Kenechukwu Okeke was killed by his tenant.
”The Tenant, Chiadiobi, was living in our house, but when he packed out without our knowledge and asked to be given two months of his rent that he left, we told him he should have notified us that he was packing out.
“My husband was not around the day he came but I told him he packed out of the house without our knowledge and should not be given back any money. He threatened to deal with us, saying he will teach my husband a lesson. I called my husband and told him what the boy said and that he should not come to confront him, since they say he is a bad boy.
My husband later reported the matter to the DSS and to the police, and he was made to write an undertaking, but he was still coming to terrorize us. Sometimes he will come to our house and break open the gate and come in and pick whatever he wants to pick.
“One day, he came to our house and my husband confronted him, without knowing that he had many boys with him downstairs, and before my husband could do anything, they macheted him, and the fuel we wanted to pour into our gen, they poured it on him and lit him up, and that was how my husband died.
“That day was Sunday and not everyone was around, and the few people around tried to quench the fire and also stop it from burning our house, and later we took him to hospital in Enugu, and that was how he died.”
Mrs Okeke lamented that since after her husband’s death in October, the family has been left alone with the burden of catering for his burial, just as no mention or quest by any organisation to take up his matter has been heard of.
She said what was more heart-rending was that her husband’s killer; Chiadiobi, is still in the neighbourhood, bragging about having dealt with Okeke, while also confronting her husband’s aged mum.
“He even recently confronted my husband’s mother, warning her that he heard that she is taking the matter up, and was warning her to be careful. The boy is still free, going around and without remorse, and we are just left alone to do the arrangements of the burial.
“Up till now, he has not been arrested, even though we took him to police and DSS, and he was made to write an undertaking that he will not disturb us again, but he has finally killed him. I’m not even understanding the police on this matter. I’m confused. The boy is behaving like he is untouchable, and everyone is saying that he is a bad boy and we should be careful. We live in Nkpor, near Onitsha, Tarzan junction.”
Spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, DSP Toochukwu Ikenganyia, when contacted by Daily Post, said that the police is aware of the matter.
It is a reported case, but for now I can tell you that the matter is still sketchy. Just give me some time, I will get back to you with the full details of the matter,” he said.
(correct NG)