By VINCENT UJUMADU
AWKA—Family of the late Stephen Nwose of Umuezianesika Agbo in Alor, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, who was allegedly murdered in his house June 26 this year, has petitioned Anambra Sate Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mahktari Ibrahim, over the killing.

Consequently, the family demanded that the suspects arrested in connection with the murder be brought to book.

Mr. Victor Ejide, a lawyer, who signed the petition on behalf of the family, alleged that the perpetrators of the murder were working behind the scene to frustrate the case, with the alleged connivance of some police officers in the state. He did not name those said to be behind the act.

When Nwose was found dead in his apartment, a close look at his body revealed bruises, swollen parts and some injuries, creating suspicion that he might have been strangled.

Following the incident, the family promptly reported the matter to the police at Nnobi Police Station which directed that a photograph of the body be taken.

Some arrests were subsequently made by the police.

However, the family said its greatest worry was that some prominent members of the community who, for fear of being indicted in the police investigations, have allegedly been threatening the late octogenarian’s daughter, Mrs. Sarah Akabueze, and members of the Jehovah’s Witness sect in the community for allegedly financing the prosecution of the matter.

The family lawyer said the suspects had openly boasted of their high level police connection which they would use to frustrate the case.

He said: “The blood of our client’s father is crying out from the grave for justice. The sound of the cry gets louder and louder and shall so remain until you intervene to bring all those responsible for the brutal murder to book.

“The late Nwose had no son in his lifetime and this development has cast serious suspicion on some people who pose as potential heirs to his landed property at his death. One wonders why they could not wait patiently for the octogenarian to die a natural death.”