Tina Amanda
The family members and people of Abua Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State demand justice for the murder of an Adhoc Staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Akoi Arumodum-Julius.
Arumodum-Julius was murdered during the just concluded governorship and state house of Assembly elections in Otapha Ward seven in the Abua Odual area of the state.
The immediate younger brother to the deceased Diamond Julius, who spoke to newsmen in what appeared to be a protest at the Port Harcourt Cemetery during the burial of the deceased, said they are surprised that INEC and Nigerian Police are yet to speak up about the death of his brother even after an investigation has been concluded.
Julius lamented in tears that his late brother was never a political party member and that his killers are known to the people, and the Police are yet to make any arrest to that effect.
He, however, called on the federal and state government to urgently swing into action and ensure that the perpetrators of the act are brought to justice.
“I want to urge all the authorities to take action; my brother worked as INEC ad-hoc Staff in Abua Odual local government; he was gruesomely murdered while carrying out his duties by some political thugs, to date, nothing is being done about it, not even the Commissioner of Police or the State CID.
“I have reported this matter; investigation has been done; the Police know the name of the person that killed my brother, yet no arrest has been made. I called on INEC the fact my brother worked as an ad-hoc Staff.
“My brother was not in any political party; he was not a member of APC, PDP, or Labour party; he only worked as INEC ad-hoc Staff.”
On his part, the Information Officer of the Ijaw Youth Council Abuja Branch, Gifted Ibinabo, said justice for the death of Akoi Arumodum-Julius would be a consolation for the family and friends and demand that Police and INEC must come up to own responsibility by ensuring that those who murdered the deceased did not go free.
“We have heard from his family how the deceased was killed while serving for INEC during the state’s governorship and state assembly election. What we want is justice and fairness for our members.
“He was a serving member as Assistant Secretary of the Ijaw Youth Abuja, so he is a critical stakeholder. The manner of his death is really painful; we are using this opportunity to call on the federal and state government, the Inspector General of Police as well as INEC to look into his death.
“They said they know their son’s killer; we are now calling on the authority to take the full cause to ensure the family gets their peace and the perpetrators of this crime are brought to book. This is our position as Ijaw Youth of Abuja chapter,” he stated.
Our correspondent reports that the aggrieved family members and friends of the late Adhoc Staff wore black attires, holding several placards with different inscriptions; they matched along Aggrey Road in Port Harcourt Township to Port Harcourt Cemetery, where the remains of the late Arumodum-Julius was laid to rest.
