The controversy surrounding the assassination of Hon. Justice Azuka, a Labour Party (LP) lawmaker representing Onitsha 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, has taken a dramatic turn as fiery Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Chibuzo Emmanuel Obimma—popularly known as Fr. Ebube Muonso—accuses Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration of shielding the killers.
In a scathing video circulating online and reported by Sahara Reporters, Fr. Ebube Muonso alleged that Azuka’s murder was a politically motivated execution, orchestrated because he was not a member of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). He further accused the Anambra State Police Command of being complicit in the crime, claiming that top government officials bribed their way to ensure the suspects arrested in connection with the murder mysteriously “escaped” from custody.
Lamenting what he described as a deep-rooted culture of impunity in Anambra, the cleric did not mince words in his condemnation of the state government and police authorities.
“He (Azuka) was not from APGA but the Labour Party. The suspects were apprehended and handed over to the Anambra State Police. How come that the two of them escaped from custody? Only two suspects! Who is deceiving who? Anambra State should rise!” he thundered.
He further alleged that the murder was a well-planned political hit, adding that the suspects’ escape was orchestrated to cover up the identities of powerful figures who sponsored the killing.
“It was a political killing, and those involved have bribed their way because they wouldn’t want those suspects to expose them. Who is deceiving who?”
Fr. Ebube Muonso issued a rallying call to the people of Onitsha, urging them to demand justice for their slain representative. He warned that failing to do so would leave Azuka’s spirit restless.
“Let the people of Onitsha Ado arise! A whole Onitsha? An honorable member from Onitsha was killed, and you are keeping quiet? There is a strange demonic force hovering over Anambra. Once you are connected, you are above the law. Even kidnappers were linked to high-profile figures, including President Generals and traditional rulers. Where are they today? None of them have been arrested because they bribed their way. Soludo is not in charge of this state at all!”
The cleric insisted that the escape of the suspects was no accident but a deliberate cover-up by those in power:
“They wanted to cover somebody. That is why they quietly allowed those people to escape in order to cover up the crime. Onitsha people, you must rise. You must ask the government of Anambra State for the killers of your brother, or else the spirit of Azuka will not rest!”
The Anambra State Police Command, already under scrutiny for its handling of the case, finds itself further entangled in controversy after reports confirmed that the two suspects linked to Azuka’s murder had escaped under suspicious circumstances.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer, initially issued a statement explaining that the suspects had escaped while assisting officers in an operation to arrest the receiver of stolen goods and recover operational vehicles used in the crime. However, investigations revealed that this statement was released eight days after the escape, raising serious concerns about police transparency.
Even more alarming, the police have refused to disclose the identities of the escaped suspects or provide any detailed explanation regarding the circumstances of their breakout.
Adding to the political firestorm, the Labour Party caucus in the Anambra State House of Assembly has openly accused the police of facilitating the suspects’ escape to obstruct justice.
In a statement, the LP lawmakers declared:
“The manner in which the suspects escaped from police custody, coupled with the nonchalant response of the authorities, only confirms our fears that Hon. Justice Azuka’s murder was a politically motivated assassination. The police have refused to take any action to rearrest the fugitives more than a week after their escape. This is nothing but a deliberate attempt to cover up the truth.”
With mounting public outrage and political tensions boiling over, the question remains: Who ordered the killing of Hon. Justice Azuka, and why is the Anambra State government silent?
As calls for justice grow louder, all eyes are on Governor Soludo and the Anambra State Police Command. Will they address the concerns raised, or will Azuka’s murder join the long list of politically motivated killings swept under the rug?
Watch the video here:
PIONEER NEWS 