Asaba: The long arm of the law has caught up with Mr Mike Nwaukoni, a man who, until recently, was dodging justice .
The Inspector General of Police, acting within the full ambit of the law, has now filed an amended seven-count charge against him and others (Charge No. FHC/ASB/18C/2024 ), ranging from terrorism and attempted murder to inciting native war and damage to police property.
According to reports, the gravity of these allegations underscored the seriousness of his alleged role in the October 2023 invasion of the Palace of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku.
His sudden appearance and subsequent arrest raised pertinent questions: Where was he all along when his associates were being charged? Was he receiving protection? Or was this a strategic retreat to regroup and restrategise?
Upon his arrest by the X Squad Police at the Delta State Headquarters, Mr. Nwaukoni reportedly provided a statement, a development that has led to revised and amended charges against all the defendants.
The police in its determination to ensuring that this case reaches a logical conclusion, have granted him bail pending his arraignment at the Federal High Court in Asaba.
Police sources recalled that Mr. Nwaukoni had, in the past, claimed to be overseas for medical treatment, a classic alibi often used by high-profile suspects to frustrate the judicial process.
This time, authorities are demanding firm assurances from his legal representatives that he will stand trial as required.
Should he fail to appear, the next logical step would be an immediate warrant for his re-arrest, a move that would further compound his legal troubles.
Beyond the courtroom drama, the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, once embroiled in tension following the palace invasion, has since experienced a return to relative peace.
But the underlying issues remain. The Delta State Government’s Commission of Inquiry on Land and Chieftaincy Disputes, an investigative body set up to probe these longstanding conflicts, has been methodically gathering evidence.
Public hearings held in November 2024 attracted over thirty petitioners, all eager to shed light on the contentious land and traditional rulership disputes, particularly the question of Otulu Ogwashi-Uku and Olu-Odu Ogwashi-Uku.
The outcome of this inquiry will undoubtedly shape the future of land ownership and traditional authority in the region.
But as the commission works through its findings, one thing is certain: justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.
Copyright@ Nuel Publishers, October 2024.
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