The late Victor Oyibo Chukwu, a prominent figure as the former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Oji-River Branch and Labour Party candidate for the Enugu East Senatorial district, met a tragic end on February 22. Alongside his assistant and driver, Sunday Igwesi, Chukwu was gruesomely murdered, and their bodies incinerated. The family, deeply grieving, now accuses the Nigeria Police Force of both a cover-up and complicity in the investigation into this heinous crime.
Chief Oyibo Chukwu, who was contesting the senatorial election against the former governor of Enugu State and a sitting senator, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani, was murdered just two days before the crucial February 25, 2023, presidential and National Assembly elections. The family contends that the police, rather than diligently pursuing justice, are actively working to shield the perpetrators, suggesting a possible involvement of government actors in the murder.
Despite the tragic loss, the Labour Party nominated Oyibo’s younger brother, Kelvin, who later defeated Nnamani to represent the Enugu East Senatorial District at the National Assembly. However, the family insists that the police’s actions indicate a deliberate effort to cover up the assassination, pointing to alleged involvement of government figures. Chief Lucky Chukwu, Oyibo’s immediate younger brother, voiced these concerns in an exclusive interview with SaharaReporters during a valedictory court session for Oyibo in Enugu.
Lucky Chukwu painted a grim picture of the incident, highlighting a previous attempt on Oyibo’s life during a campaign in Akwuke, Enugu South Local Government Area. Even then, some of the attackers were apprehended with AK-47 rifles. However, to the family’s dismay, they were subsequently released by the police. In response to questions about the investigation’s progress, Lucky asserted, “Nothing is going on, it is the same security agencies that we have, especially the police.” He emphasized the family’s determination to seek justice and disclosed their involvement of the Department of State Services (DSS) to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.
Lucky Chukwu also raised suspicions of political interference, claiming that individuals associated with the government were involved in the murder. The family is resolute in their pursuit of justice and believes that involving the DSS will contribute to a more clinical examination of the circumstances surrounding Oyibo Chukwu’s tragic demise. The grieving family asserts that they will not rest until those responsible are brought to justice, ensuring that their late brother’s death does not go unpunished. GMTNews
