Emene Killings: Igbo Group, Nzuko Umunna, Threatens Legal Action Against Gov Ugwuanyi If…

Igbo Think-tank, Nzuko Ummuna, has threatened legal action against Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, if he fails within four weeks to set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to look into the circumstances surrounding the alleged killing of 22 Youths in Emene.

The killings reportedly took place during a clash with security personnel in the state.

Nzuko Ummuna issued the threat in a strongly-worded letter to Ugwuanyi on Friday through its solicitor, Edwin Anikwem.

The letter was titled: “The Massacre of 22 Unarmed Youths in Emene-Enugu, Enugu State: A Call to Set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to Look into Circumstances Surrounding the Killings; A Notice of Intention to Sue in Respect of Same.”

Recall that on August 22, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS)  and the youths in Ememe, said to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had clashed.

While the youths claimed that they were just carrying out their normal physical exercises, the DSS alleged that the youths attacked its operatives who were at the scene. The secret police maintained that two of its men were killed in the attack.

But, the Igbo body maintained that the security service opened fire on the “unarmed youths and killed 22 of them.”

The body said if the governor failed to set up the commission of inquiry after four weeks, it would institute a legal action against him without further notice.

It said: “The cause of action of which will be failure to set up Judicial Commission of Inquiry to look into the circumstances surrounding the killings of youths at Emcne Enugu by persons suspected to be security officials with a view to preventing future occurrences.”

The group said one of the major responsibilities of the governor was the protection of lives and property of Enugu people.

According to it, the “unprovoked attack and murder of innocent indigenes of Enugu” caused unrest within the state as citizens now live in fear.

It also said setting up a commission of inquiry as provided under the Commission of Inquiry Law, Cap 24 Laws of Enugu State 2004, was to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the persons involved in the  killings and as well, recommend appropriate sanctions.

It added that the aim would also be to recommend solutions on how to prevent a future occurrence in the state.

The Igbo body expressed optimism that the execution of the request would help to restore peace amongst the people.

The body also sought some reliefs. The proposed reliefs are: “A declaration that the massacre of 22 unarmed youths who were engaged in various physical exercise/ trainings by the officers of the Nigerian Police and Department of State Security Service on or about 22nd August 2020 in Emene Enugu State violates Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap A9 LF‘N 2004 which guaranteed right to life and prohibits the killing of human beings without an order of court.

“A declaration that the extra -judicial killing and/or massacre of 22 unarmed youths at Emene Enugu State by the officers of the Nigerian Police and Officials of Department of State Security Service on or about 22nd August 2020 violates the fundaInental rights to life of the deceased and is therefore unconstitutional, illegal and unlawful.

“A declaration that the failure and/or refusal of the Governor of Enugu State to set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to look into the unlawful killing of over 22 unarmed youths on or about 22nd August 2020 at Emene Enugu State by persons suspected to be Security Officials amounts to a dereliction of duty.

“An order that under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap A9 LPN 2004, it is the duty of the Defendant (Governor of Enugu State) to protect and defend the life and properties of the people of Enugu State.

“An order of mandamus compelling the Defendant (Governor of Enugu State) to set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to unravel the cause(s) of the unlawful and illegal killing of over 20 youths on Or about 22 August 2020 at Emene Enugu.

“And such other or further orders as the court may deem fit to make in the circumstance.”