By Chijioke Ogbodo
Abia – Uche Maduabuchi, a notorious thief of power electricity infrastructure in Aba, Abia State, who allegedly planned and led a mob to lynch four Aba Power staff members, is facing an attempted murder case. The accused, aged 40, will be detained by the Police Anti-kidnapping Unit until next week when the trial resumes. The employees of Aba Power who were allegedly targeted for homicide are Chinonso Nwabundu, Stephen Ngozi John, Samuel Nwachukwu, and Onyeka Ezeaguba.
The special magistrate court presided over by The Hon Ukaegbu, located at the Aba Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force, has put the suspect on a holden charge. The court was convened specially due to ongoing strikes by judiciary workers in Abia State. The workers have been protesting nonpayment of salaries and other related welfare issues for several months.
A policeman who prefers to remain anonymous as he is not authorized to speak to the media reveals that Maduabuchi, the accused electricity vandal, allegedly wanted to prevent the four employees from obstructing his further damage to electricity infrastructure and reporting him to their organization or higher authorities.
Suspect: Uche Maduabuchi
The officer discloses that Maduabuchi hysterically accused the workers of being electricity vandals and causing power outages in the city by stealing critical electricity distribution parts. Despite wearing their corporate field dress, name tags, and being in a company vehicle with company colors, a mob of about 100 individuals gathered and assaulted the workers, causing them to lose consciousness. The mob intended to burn the staff members alive with petrol and matches, but the situation was diffused by the prompt intervention of security personnel.
The police officer strongly urges citizens not to engage in mob actions and to avoid taking the law into their own hands. He explains that criminals often orchestrate mob violence, taking advantage of the situation to rob victims of their valuables or settle vendettas, and even to murder individuals carrying out their legitimate duties, as seen in this case.
The police officer is optimistic that if the suspect is successfully prosecuted, it will send a message that engaging in criminal conspiracy or any form of crime does not pay. Instead, it will bring criminals under the purview of the law, particularly those who vandalize essential infrastructure like power facilities that are utilized by the public. GMTNews
