… As family members seek for justice
Anambra House of Assembly on Tuesday 19th July held a valedictory session for Hon Okechukwu Okoye, member representing Aguata constituency 2 by unknown gun men.
Recall that on 22nd May 2022, late Hon Okoye popularly known as ‘Okey di Okay’ by friends and family was abducted alongside his aide, Cyril Chiegboka, on Sunday, along Aguluzigbo road, Anaocha Local Government Area of the state.
His head was said to have been dumped at Chisco park in Amichi, a community in Nnewi South Local Government Area of the state on Saturday, six days after he was abducted. And the lawmaker’s headless body was later found along Ideani road, Nnobi community, Idemili South Local Government Area of the state.
The police spokesperson in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed this in a statement Saturday night.
The valedictory session was filled with grief and tears as the members took turn to express their life interactions with late Hon Okoye.
Emotions went wild when the Aguata II Catholic church choir which late Okey Okoye was the director and leader delivered the popular Christian hymn by Philip Bliss entitled IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL and the Anambra Speaker Uchenna Okafor broke down in tears
Assembly in a resolution called for the arrest and prosecution of those who had a hand in the death of late Okey Okoye contending that it would do all within it’s powers to secure justice for the soul of their colleague.
According to the speaker Mr Uchenna Okafor; this is one killing too many and we cannot continue like this in our state and we all know that is not in the character of Anambra people and indeed Igbo people to shed blood.
Meanwhile it is being touted that the widow of late Okey Okoye Mrs Ngozi Okoye may be drafted to contest for the vacant seat that was occupied by her late husband.
Giving this indication the Majority leader of the Assembly Mr Nnamdi Okafor moved a motion at the floor of the Assembly that his widow be used to replace her husband contending that late Okey Okoye remains the 30th member of the House.
Minority leader of the Assembly Mr Onyebuchi Offor moved a motion laying a course on the killers adding that they will not hear the cry of new born babies in their homes.
“This is evil and we are laying a course on the people that killed this young man and they will know no peace and they will not hear the cry of new born babies in their respective homes; he said.
Also speaking the elder brother to late Okey Okoye Mr David Okoye gave a clue as to what happened to his younger brother alleging that he was assassinated.
“We thank the Anambra state House of Assembly and the Anambra state government for all that they have done so far and we thank everyone for their support but we the family members are demanding for justice over the death of our brother because he was killed for nothing after the ransom of N15 million was paid and yet they killed him”.
“There must be justice because our brother was assassinated for whatever reason they have but we insist that they must be brought to book to face justice”; he said.
Speaking on behalf of Ex- lawmakers Mr Okey Aronu who had represented the same Aguata II Constituency lamented that the membership of the state Assembly is not a money spinner to warrant Okoye”s kidnap and consequent killing.
He described the late lawmaker as a good christian who led a simple and unassuming life style to the admiration of all and sundry.
Deputy Governor of the state Dr Onyeka Ibezim who represented Gov Charles Soludo reiterated the state government resolve to tackle issues of insecurity head long adding that there is no safe place for bandits.
We are not sleeping until we clear our state of criminals and already we are winning this war against insecurity and everywhere they are we shall continue to hunt them down and we are combing brushes to get them and they will all be brought to book; he said.
Special attraction was presentation of the registered condolence messages to the family.
Present where the Anambra Chief Judge, Justice Ike Ogwu, former speaker and special adviser to Soludo on national and state matters Hon Anayo Nebe uju nwaorgu, former atorney general of the state, Hon Anyaonu, chairman Anambra state Housing Development, members of the executive councils, among others.
Thursday 21 a vigil mass will hold while Friday 22 lying in state at his country home, with requiem mass at St patrick Isuofia.