Dear Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, the Executive Governor of Anambra State,
1.) The disturbing reports coming from your hometown, Isuofia, this morning have left me perturbed.
2.) It was reported that young men from your town who were merely attempting to eke out a living by engaging in menial jobs were killed in Owerre-Ezukala by your security men.
3.) It’s on this note that I am compelled to inquire whether these young men were found to be in possession of firearms, whether they were apprehended and handed over to the police, and whether they were afforded due process, such as a fair trial, before being subjected to summary execution.
4.) As you are aware, Your Excellency, Sir, the Anambra State House of Assembly enacted the Anambra Homeland Security Law, which EXPLICITLY MANDATES the Agunechemba security outfit to ARREST and HAND OVER suspected criminals to the police for prosecution .
5.) I am therefore at a loss to understand at what point this mandate was expanded to include extrajudicial killings, which is a contravention of the principles of justice and the rule of law.
6.) Your Excellency, Sir, is it not a fundamental principle of justice that people are presumed innocent until proven guilty?
7.) Please, can you now investigate that case properly to know actually why they were killed just like common criminals and their bodies displayed for caricature?
8.) I would like to remind you, Your Excellency, Sir, that you established this Agunechemba security outfit to maintain law and order in our state, and not to perpetrate violence and intimidation.
9.) Hence, it is imperative that you ensure that the security outfit operates within the bounds of law, and that you take immediate action to address the concerns of the people in this particular issue since many have reported that those young men are mere workers who were on “outside job”.
10.) The people of Anambra State look up to you for leadership and guidance, Sir, and it is your responsibility to ensure that their rights and freedoms are protected, please.
11.) While wishing that these concerns I raised may be addressed, kindly accept as always my sincerest respect and esteem, please.
Chukwuma Okafor
(PhD candidate — Researcher on Political and Social Matters)
joelmarychukwuma@gmail.com
