The Ebonyi State Police Command has paraded four suspects in connection with the murder of Mr Peter Nweke, the Peoples Democratic Party’s ward chairman in Ezza North Local Government Area of the state.
Nweke was murdered during the March 18 gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, April 14, in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, police spokesperson in the state, said the suspects, identified as Kelechi Nwali, Onyebuchi Chita, Aloke Obinna, and Ifeanyi Nwokpuku, were arrested on March 28.
The police spokesperson explained that 21 persons have also been declared wanted in connection with the crime.
“Sequel to the dastardly act, the commissioner of police, CP Faleye S. Olaleye, tasked all police officers in the command to fish out all those responsible for the killing,” the police spokesperson said.
“Consequently, on March 28, four suspects were arrested in connection with the death of Mr Peter Nweke.
“During the interrogation of the suspects, the first suspect, one Kelechi Nwali, male, a Labour Party house of assembly candidate, Ezza north constituency, confessed to hiring the assailants who were meant to torture the victim, however, he died in the process.
“According to Nwali, the late Peter Nweke posed a threat to his political ambition, so he contacted one Akwasi, a male, of Nnachi Umuezeoka in Ezza north, who spear-headed the torture that eventually resulted in the death of Mr Nweke.
“The second suspect, Onyebuchi Chita of Nkomoro community, confessed to having brought in the killers from Nkomoro into the Ogboji community where Peter Nweke was killed.
“The third suspect, Aloke Obinna of Ogboji community, confessed to having given his motorcycle to one Onyebuchi Chita for escape after the incident.
“While Ifeanyi Nwokpuku, fourth suspect of Ogboji community, all in Ezza north, conspired with one Sampson Nweke, male, who pointed Peter Nweke out to the killers.”
Onovwakpoyeya added that the suspects would be arraigned in court at the end of the investigation.