Nigerians from all walks of life have publicly condemned the
decision of the Nigerian Police, Enugu State command for arresting and charging
a six-year-old boy, whose name is given as Chibuike Oramalu for murder.
According to sources, the little boy was kept under
detention for about a month. Though he was later released after the news went
viral and was condemned by the public. When contacted, the Police said he was
not arrested but put under “protective custody”.
The case took a different twist, when the boy was arraigned
for the alleged offence, after the Police Commissioner in Enugu State, Emmanuel
Ojukwu promised that because the suspect is a minor in the eyes of the law, he
would not be charged for the offence.
According to the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement
Network (CRRAN), which has been showing interest in the case to ensure that the
little boy is freed, has expressed their disappointment over the actions of the
Police. Thus, have written a petition to
the Police Service Commission to bring all the perpetrators of the wicked act
to book.
Mr. Olu Omotayo who is the President of the rights group
said: “We write to you in respect of the above-mentioned, which had earlier
commanded your attention vide several petitions sent to you at the inception of
this matter.
“We started the massive campaign for the release of Chibuike
Oramalu on Saturday the 9th day of July 2016. The 6 year old was taken into
custody at the State Criminal and Investigation Department (State CID), Police
Headquarters, Enugu, on the 30th May 2016 and was finally released on the 13th
July 2016.
“During the unlawful 6 weeks sojourn of Chibuike Oramalu, in
Police cell at the State CID, Enugu, the Police Commissioner had maintained
that Chibuike was in ‘protective custody.’
“The case took another dimension this morning when the
Police called Mrs. Oramalu that she should bring Chibuike to the Police
Headquarters. Mrs. Oramalu went there with Chibuiike and Police proceeded to
Magistrates’ Court with Chibuike and Edwin Oforma, the owner of the said gun
who had earlier reported to the Police.
“At the Magistrates’ Court, Police filed a Charge of
Conspiracy and murder against Chibuike and Edwin Oforma. Oforma was also
charged with unlawful possession of a Zebra English made double barrel gun.
“Chibuikes’ mother informed us as they were being taken
court and we promptly made appearance in court on behalf of the 6 year old boy
Chibuike Oramalu.
“The Learned Magistrates’ His Worship Hillary Asogwa, after
listening to our submission agreed that the 6 year old boy is incapable of
committing crime and as such he could not be remanded in prison custody.
“The learned Magistrate, therefore, released Chibuike
Oramalu on bond to the mother but went ahead to remand Mr. Edwin Oforma in
prison for murder and unlawful possession of double barrel gun. We attached
herewith the said Charge Sheet.
“We salute the courage and wisdom of His Worship Hillary
Asogwa in this matter and we know that with likes of him on the bench there is
greater hope for the judiciary in this country.”
Omotayo further stressed that “Chibuike Miracle Oramalu, a
primary 2 pupil of Carmelite Nursery and Primary School, Nike Avenue, G.R.A.
Enugu, was taken into custody at the State Criminal and Investigation
Department (State CID), Police Headquarters, Enugu, on Monday, the 30th day of
May 2016.
“The incident that led to Chibuike arrest and detention
happened on the 29th day of May 2016 at their residence No.5/7, Robito Cresent,
Independence Layout, behind Government House, Enugu, where Mrs. Nwakaego
Oramalu works as a cleaner and house keeper.
“On Sunday the 29th May 2016, while Mrs. Nwakaego was away
to Adoration Ministries for the church Sunday service, the son of her employer,
Chukwunanu Oforma, a National Youth Corps member asked the little Chibuike and
his 10 year old elder brother named Ifeanyichukwu Oramalu to clean and tidy up
his fathers’ room (Mr. Edwin Oformas’ room).
“While the two children were cleaning up the room,
Ifeanyichukwu was sweeping while Chibuike was laying the bed. Chibuike saw a
gun near the bed and carried it; he showed the gun to the brother Ifeanyichukwu
who asked him to return the gun.
“While Chibuike was returning the gun he mistakenly pulled
the trigger and a shot went off, shattered the glass window of the room, pierced
the wall of the next building passed out on the other side and went and hit a
12 year old boy named Oluebube Boniface on the chest. Oluebube died instantly.”
In his petition, he emphasised “that the arraignment of the
6-year-old Chibuike today for murder by the Police is a mockery and abuse of
administration of justice in this country.
“The question is why are the officers handling this matter
bent on sending the 6 year old to prison either by whatever crook means. The
Police Service Commission has to live up to his responsibility and save the
Nigeria Police and the country in general from this type of embarrassment.
“We also appeal to kind hearted Nigerians to help the mother
of Chibuike whose house cleaning job has already been terminated by this
incident and she has also lost the benefit of the accommodation given to her by
her former employer.
“We also appeal to kind hearted Nigerians to assist the
family of Ukwa Boniface with fund to pay for the post-mortem as requested by
the Police and the burial of their 12 year old son, Oluebube Boniface, who died
in the incident. The deceased was also a primary school pupil, while the father
is a poor commercial tricycle operator.”
