A group, under the auspices of Odinala Cultural Heritage Foundation (OCHIE Igbo), has called for President Bola Tinubu’s intervention over an alleged illegal arrest and subsequent detention of Chief Emeka Ozuomba by the military operatives since March 17.
The OCHIE Igbo, a socio-cultural organisation of young Igbo professionals, made the call in an open letter written to President Tinubu by its National President, Dr Chukwuma Ogugua Orji, and a copy made available to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja.
The letter is titled: “Request for the Release of Chief Emeka Ozuomba, who has been Illegally Detained in Military Custody Since March 17, 2023.”
It reads: “We, the Odinala Cultural Heritage Foundation (OCHIE Igbo), a socio-cultural organization of young Igbo professionals write to bring to your knowledge of the illegal detention of Chief Emeka Ozumba, of Ihube Community in Okigwe LGA, Imo State by the Nigerian Military since March 17, 2023.
“Chief Ozumba, President General of Ihube and a renowned community leader was on March 17, 2023, picked up at about 23hours by some military men in uniform at Pego Hotels Okigwe, where he logged prior to the House Assembly election on March 18, 2023
“Later, they military men returned with him in their vehicle and took his belongings at Pego Hotels Okigwe and finally left to unknown destination.
“They kept his whereabouts a secret, thereby putting immense pressure and tension on Chief Emeka’s wife and the family.
“It took the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians to find out that Emeka was being held at Obinze barracks of the Nigerian Army.
“The family did instruct a lawyer, Watts Law Firm (Iyiakaimo Chambers), to write to the Commandant of Obinze Barracks on March 23, 2023.
“The lawyer was told to return after a week, which he did.
“But, the second visit yielded no result. Please find attached a copy of the letter.
“Painfully, in search of her husband, Emeka’s wife abandoned his children at Enugu and relocated to Obinze barracks, where she spent two months to no avail.
“We understand that Emeka has been taken to 82 Division, Enugu, where he has spent some months in custody.
“We have elected to write to your esteemed and highly exalted office to seek means on how to reconnect Emeka to his family in the shortest possible time; bearing in mind that a peaceful resolution would foster great relationship and douse all frayed nerves.
“Please, accept the assurance of our esteemed regards, while hoping that you will influence the release of Chief Emeka to his family.”
