By Chikaodi Chukwuleta
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State Council, has called for urgent action and justice over the alleged killing of Master Noel Chinedu Okechukwu, the only son of a former Secretary of the Council, Comrade Rex Peters Okechukwu, describing the development as deeply troubling and painful for the journalism community in the state.
The Council made its position known after reviewing the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident which reportedly occurred at the estate of former Senator Stella Oduah in Akiri-Ozizor, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Master Noel Okechukwu, a 27-year-old student of the Department of Theatre Arts at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, was allegedly shot dead on August 17, 2024 by private security guards attached to the estate. The young man was said to have been heading to a nearby local pond to buy fresh fish when the fatal shooting occurred.
The incident has left his family devastated, particularly his father, a long-standing member of the journalism community who once served as Secretary of the NUJ Anambra State Council.
According to a communiqué issued after the Council reviewed a petition submitted by the bereaved father, the journalists’ body expressed concern that despite repeated appeals to relevant authorities, justice has yet to come for the grieving family.
The communiqué noted that several petitions had been submitted to the Anambra State Police Command, Police Zone 13 Ukpo, the Office of the Inspector General of Police, and the Anambra State Government, among other authorities, but the matter has not received the urgent attention it deserves.
The Council therefore appealed to the Nigeria Police Force to expedite action in the case and ensure that justice is neither delayed nor denied.
According to the communiqué, the union is also urging the police to consider the family’s request for the withdrawal of the case file from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for reassignment in order to allow for the necessary autopsy and completion of other procedures required for the arraignment of suspects before a court of competent jurisdiction.
The NUJ expressed strong concern over reports that the family has been denied access to the body of their slain son, a development the Council described as deeply distressing.
According to the communiqué, the police should immediately inform the family of the whereabouts of the corpse and grant them access to it, noting that such a step would help calm the grieving relatives and demonstrate that the authorities are handling the matter with the seriousness it deserves. The Council also pointed out that the family has indicated its readiness to bear the cost of the autopsy if allowed to proceed.
The journalists’ body further urged law enforcement authorities to arrest the prime suspect and any other persons believed to have played roles in the incident so that a thorough investigation can be carried out without lapses.
The Council added that once the trial of the suspects begins, it should be kept informed in order to enable the media keep the public properly updated on developments through responsible journalism.
According to the communiqué, the Council believes that swift and decisive action by the relevant authorities will ensure that justice, though delayed, will eventually prevail and allow the bereaved family the long-awaited closure of laying their slain son to rest.
