Confessions by suspects arrested after a crisis in Ekoli Edda community in Afikpo South LGA of Ebonyi State in December has exonerated the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Stanley Okoro Emegha and the House of Representatives candidate, Eni Uduma Chima in the state.
Both APC stalwarts were accused of inciting violence which allegedly led to killings and the destruction of valuables in Ekoli Edda community.
thedabigal reports that the crisis in the area resulted in the killings of a pregnant woman, youth leader and Emegha’s brother who is a police officer, as well as the setting ablaze of some homes by hoodlums in the area.
Reports claimed Emegha and Eni were allegedly fighting for political supremacy in the Ekoli Edda community, leading to clashes among youths loyal to them.
But, the state government on Tuesday in a briefing by the Commissioner of Information and State Orientation, Mr Uchenna Orji, said Governor David Umahi inaugurated a committee to broker peace between Eni Uduma and Stanley Emegha and their loyalists.
He explained that Emegha and Eni were exonerated based on the confession made by suspects arrested in connection with the alleged killings and destruction of valuable properties.
Orji said, “the committee were charged to resolve the conflict between two brothers of Ekoli Edda, and institute a permanent spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation among brothers and sisters of Ekoli Edda.
“It was noted that the findings or the interim reports by Ebonyi police revealed that those suspects who were arrested and in police custody gave statements that did not indict any of these two people.
“I have not said that the police have concluded their report and that has nothing to do with the state government” he stated.
