The legal counsel to Chief Jerry Nkeweshe, the Owelle of Onicha-Olona, has demanded the immediate retraction of a statement issued by the Delta State Police Command alleging that her client led armed men responsible for the killing of three youths in Okwe community, near Asaba.
Addressing journalists in Asaba, Kelechi Nadia, Esq., Principal Partner at S. Kerechi Nadia & Co., said her press briefing was prompted by a publication and official statement from the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Bright Edafe, naming Chief Nkeweshe as a prime suspect in a deadly incident reportedly linked to a land dispute.
‘My Client Was Not in Asaba’ — Lawyer Counters Police Claims
Barr. Nadia strongly refuted the allegations, maintaining that Chief Nkeweshe was nowhere near Okwe or the Asaba area at the time of the killings.
“Unfortunately, my client was not near Asaba, Okwe, or anywhere around this environment throughout yesterday,” she told reporters.
“He had travelled to Umunede to attend to his health and was in the company of individuals whose identities I am prepared to disclose.”
She stated that Chief Nkeweshe returned from Umunede later in the evening and proceeded directly to her office, insisting it was impossible for him to have led any armed group.
“How could he have led armed men to recover land in Okwe when he is not even the owner of the said land?” she queried.
Allegations Against Police Leadership
Barr. Nadia further claimed her client had intelligence suggesting that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olufemi Abaniwonda, authorized the deployment of officers to Okwe for the purpose of land recovery.
“It was the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, who sanctioned the deployment of policemen to Okwe.
He held meetings with the concerned parties on November 19 in his office. Let him deny it,” she alleged.
She also questioned reports that the assailants wore military camouflage.
“So does it mean he asked them to dress in military camouflage to go and kill people?” she asked.
“If the attackers were dressed that way, then the Commissioner of Police must explain his role. Let him deny it. We have intelligence reports.”
‘This Is Not the First Time’ — Counsel Alleges Pattern of Targeting
According to Barr. Nadia, her client has been unfairly targeted previously.
“The last time, he conspired with the Chairman of Aniocha North, Hon. Emmanuel Chinye Bazim, to concoct a false allegation of cyber-terrorism against my client,” she claimed.
She said the matter was dismissed only after the Inspector-General of Police directed further investigation, which reportedly confirmed no such publication had ever originated from Chief Nkeweshe.
“This is not the second attempt by the Commissioner of Police to tarnish my client’s name. I will not allow this to slide,” she added.
14-Day Ultimatum and Threat of Legal Action
The lawyer disclosed that legal action is being considered against both the Commissioner of Police and the PPRO.
“We will take action against the Commissioner of Police for defamation and for framing my client in a manner that portrays him as criminally complicit,” she stated.
“We will formally request a retraction within 14 days. If he fails to comply, we will sue him and Mr. Bright Edafe, alongside other actions before the Police Service Commission.”
She warned that the allegations could place her client’s life at risk.
“Is this how to police a state? You publish such damaging claims, endangering an innocent man. The grieving families could target him for something he knows nothing about.”
Calls for Balanced Reporting and Thorough Investigation
Barr. Nadia urged journalists to independently verify the ownership of the disputed land and conduct balanced reporting.
“Please investigate the matter yourselves. Who owns the land? The Commissioner of Police knows the owners, he met with both sides on the 19th. If someone died there, he should know who to arrest,” she said.
She also emphasized that the land matter is already in court.
“There is no link between my client and the land. We are in court over the issue. The Commissioner should provide the killers.”
Police Yet to Respond
As at the time of filing this report, the Delta State Police Command had not issued a response to the lawyer’s allegations.
Tension remains high in Okwe, with residents and stakeholders calling for a transparent, impartial investigation and the prosecution of those responsible for the killings
