Enugu communal crisis: Senior lawyer, others remanded in custody

A Lagos-based senior lawyer, Barrister Vincent Okafor has been remanded in Enugu Correctional Centre for allegedly promoting local war in his hometown, Agunese Mmaku community, Awgu Council Area of Enugu State.

The legal practitioner’s arraignment brings to three natives of the locality currently in custody for the same offence.

The two other accused persons are Mr. David Okeke and Chukwu Theophilus, while others are at large.

Okafor’s arrest in Lagos and subsequent arraignment on Thursday in Enugu before an Enugu Magistrate Court was based on a three-count charge, bordering on alleged “felony and carrying out a warlike undertaking against the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Nevobasi and the members/indigenes of locality.”

The court remanded him in custody on the basis that it lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the case.

DAILY POST gathered that the accused persons are also standing trial in another case being handled by the office of the Inspector General of Police.

They were dragged to the Federal High Court, Enugu division, for allegedly giving the police false information against Igwe Nevobasi contrary to section 125A (1) (B) of the Criminal Code.

They had accused the IGP of collecting a bribe from the monarch, an allegation the police authorities denied and dragged them to court, with charge No. FHC/EN//CR/45/2.

Their ordeal may not be unconnected to the town union election in Agunese Mmaku, which was shelved by the monarch over a security report.

Part of the counts, with charge No. MEN/590C/2024, reads: “That you Vincent Okafor ‘m’ and others now at large on the 13th day of August 2024 at Agunese Mmaku in Agwu Magisterial District holden in Enugu did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: Promoting Local War and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 495 (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol.II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.

“Count II: That you Vincent Okafor ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did without lawful authority, carry on a warlike undertaking against HRH Igwe Cyprian M. Nevobasi ‘m’ by attacking him with guns, cutlasses, axes and other dangerous weapons and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 86 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol.II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.”

However, a native of the community, who craved anonymity, said he had known the detained lawyer for years, stating that he was being accused falsely by some wealthy powerful individual in the locality.

He said the lawyer had a wonderful pedigree in his legal profession.

“He is a peaceful and complete gentleman, so, I don’t know why some people always derive joy in making life unbearable for their fellow human beings,” he stated.