Alleged Murder: 'Release Our Brother's Body', Family Cries to Ebonyi CP

The family of the late Mr. Nnamdi Nwite, a native of Agbaja Unupfu in Abakaliki Local Government Area, who was allegedly shot dead during the inauguration of community town union executives, has called on the Commissioner of Police (CP) in Ebonyi State, CP Augustina Ogbodo, to release his body for burial.

According to the family, the Nigeria Police Force in Ebonyi State has seized the body and denied them access to their late brother, who was reportedly killed during the inauguration of community executives. The counsel to the Nwite's family, Mr Obinna Nwankwo of D.O Nwankwo Edzuoma & Co, appealed to the Commissioner of Police to release the body to help alleviate the family’s trauma. “The family I represent is of Mr. Nnamdi Nwite, who was injured in August by unknown persons while attending a function and was taken to the hospital, where he later died," Nwankwo explained. "After a meeting with their kindred and the wider community, the family resolved not to pursue legal action regarding the cause of their son's death. An affidavit was deposed to that effect by the deceased's biological brother, Mr. Ekene Nwite, and served along with an application to the Commissioner of Police on August 29, 2024, requesting the release of the body," he added.

However, despite these efforts, the police have neither responded nor released the body. "I wrote a reminder to the Commissioner of Police, after my reminder, we were surprised that somebody is being arraigned , by name , Barrister S.U Nnunu over the murder case." “It is clear that the family I represent did not file any complaint or petition regarding the death of Mr. Nwite. They informed the Commissioner of Police that they do not know who injured the deceased. The police have refused to allow the family to bury their brother, despite the fact that they have made it clear they are not interested in litigation or further investigation,” Nwankwo said.

He further stressed that, in line with their tradition and religion, the family does not believe in autopsy and opposes any further action on the body. “We humbly request that the world hears our plea: let the body of Mr. Nwite be released for burial. His siblings, wife, and the entire family are traumatized by this situation. They believe nothing can bring him back, and they want to accord him the final respect he deserved and they are doing this without any inducement or coercion from any quarter,” he stated.

Mr. Ekene Nwite, the deceased's elder brother, described the incident as painful but stressed that the family is not interested in legal action. “I will not pursue a case over my brother’s death. I call on the government to release my brother’s body. He was trained as a welder, then a carpenter, all without government assistance, and now we just want peace. If anyone wants to discuss his burial, they should speak directly with the family,” he said. Hon. Joseph Nnunu, the member representing Abakaliki South in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, who also visited the family, corroborated their stance. He confirmed that the family does not hold his brother, Barrister Nnunu, responsible for the death and has requested that the police discontinue the case. Adding 'nobody is above the law, but shouldn't condemn somebody who God has not condemned and we are appealing to the state Governor to listen to this matter and throw his weight to ensure that peace reign in the area,' he stated. “They want to bury their son and have asked the police to step aside. The family has resolved not to pursue any case, and they have written to the Commissioner of Police to that effect,” he said. When contacted, Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, stated that the case is still under investigation and that the command is observing all necessary legal processes before releasing the body as the Matt is a criminal case.