Abducted Imo-born judge regains freedom

Chairman of the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, has been freed by her abductors.
Her release on Wednesday night elicited joy in her state, Imo, as the governor, Emeka Ihedioha; former Commissioner for Information, Prof. Nnamdi Obiareri; Owerri Anglican Diocese, lawyers and other residents expressed joy when they heard the news.

Justice Nwosu-Iheme, who hails from Nkwere in Imo, was abducted on October 30 along Benin/Agbor road by gunmen who killed her police orderly.She had decided the infamous Otokoto case, sentencing Chief Vincent Duru, Leonard Unogu among others to death for the killing of young groundnut seller, Ikechukwu Okonkwo, in Owerri.

In two separate statements, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Ihedioha on Public Enlightenment, Eze Ugochukwu; and Obiareri, a professor of Law, gave thanks to God for her freedom.

The statement by Ihedioha’s aide said the Imo governor had been on the vanguard and fore -front fighting to see to the release of the judge from the captivity of her captors, noting that he was happy that the pressure mounted on the security operatives by him yielded fruits.

Also, the Special Adviser to Ihedioha on Political Matters, Jones Onyereri, said he s happy for the judge regaining her freedom unhurt.

Owerri -based lawyers under the aegis Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Owerri chapter, in a statement signed by the chairman, Damian Nosike, had boycotted the courts, rspecially kidnap cases until the judge was freed.

Many members of the Owerri diocese of the Anglican church where Nwosu – Iheme is the Chancellor, said the prayers of the faithful were heard by God.
[ad]