The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 5 has been called upon to use his good offices to immediately takeover a case involving one Mr. Uruere Joseph Uwaye now in the custody of the Warri Area Police Command, Delta State, following his recent arrest over an alleged murder of one Mr. Michael Otomiewo in 2008.
The call is contained in a petition filed on behalf the family of the deceased by a team of legal professionals, V.E. Otomiewo & Co, Barristers, Solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Notary Public based in Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government Area., the lawyer called for a thorough investigation of the matter and subsequent prosecution of the alleged suspect.
In the petition titled. “Re: In the matter of the gruesome Murder of Michael Otomiewo and attack on the Otomiewo family: The arrest of the fugitive prime suspect-Mr. Uruere Joseph Uwaye and a call for thorough investigation and diligent prosecution, the lawyer called on the AIG Zone 5 to immediately takeover the case file and suspect who is currently cooling his feet in the Warri ‘A’ Division cell with the view to charging him to court for the alleged gruesome murder of their client son.
The petitioner is also asking in the alternative to join Uwaye as an accused in the charge which is already pending in the high Court of Justice, Delta State, adding that what they want for their client is nothing but justice.
According the petition, “You will recall that by our letter of 14th April, 2008, copy of which is annexed herewith and marked as Annexure “A” for ease of reference we intimated your office of the gruesome murder on Saturday, the 12th day of April, 2008 at about 7:30am of our clients’ son – late Michael Otomiewo by a group of boys identified by neighbours amongst whom was Uruere Joseph Uwaye. On the strength of our letter of 14th April 2008 and the subsequent letters, some of the suspects were arrested and were later released on bail. However, Mr. Uruere Joseph Uwaye who released the shot at close range that eventually killed our client’s son –late Michael Otomiewo could not be arrested at that point in time, as he took to his heel and had since been hiding.”
The petition added that luck however ran out of the runaway suspect recently as he was, with the help of some concerned Nigerians who were sympathetic with their clients arrested by men attached to the Warri Area Command on the night of Wednesday the 15th day of May, 2013, adding, “He is now being held in protective custody at “A” Division of the Nigeria Police Station, Warri.”
While calling on the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 5, to wade into the matter, the petition added that Chief V E Otomiewo, a principal member of the deceased family had made useful statement supported with documentary evidence made in respect of the matter since April 2008.
When contacted, the Area Commander Warri, ACP Husseini Rabiu confirmed that one Mr. Uruere Joseph Uwaye was arrested by his men following a call for assistance from some individuals in Ekpan Community. He added that the suspect is in their custody as the case is being handled by Zone 5 Benin, Edo State.
According to him, “It is true that we arrested a suspect in connection with that case. But the matter is not within my jurisdiction as it is being handled by Zone 5 Benin. We are only keeping him here pending when Zone 5 will come to take him up for further investigation.”
It could be recalled Mr Michael Otomiewo was killed at 7.30am, Saturday, April 12, 2008 in Ekpan allegedly by some group of boys.
