UNIBEN law alumni condemn murder of colleague

Police vow to hunt down killers of Atsuwete.

The University of Benin, Faculty of Law ‘97 Alumni Association has condemned the murder of its member and renowned Rivers lawyer, Mr. Ken Atsuwete, by unknown gunmen on Monday, August 29, 2016.

The association has, therefore, called on President Muhammadu Buhari, governor of Rivers State, the Inspector General of Police, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police and all other law enforcement agencies to ensure no stone is left unturned in efforts to fish out the killers of Atsuwete.

According to a statement signed by the alumni president, Francis Obaseki, members of the public have also been enjoined to provide information, which may lead to arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

“A fundamental objective of government is the protection of lives and property, thus events of this nature call into question the seeming failure, refusal and/or neglect of government at all levels to ensure same; the association restates that this is one death too many and hopes that as a result of proactive investigation, Ken’s death will not be in vain.”

The Rivers Police Command has, however, vowed that the killers of the human rights lawyer will be fished out to face the full wrath of the law.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, who confirmed Atsuete’s killing in Port Harcourt, described the incident as “pure assassination,” noting that the police has swung into action and would ensure that the killers are brought to book.

According to him, preliminary investigation showed that Atsuete might have been shot in his car after struggling with the armed men.

“The killers used Atsuete’s car to escape, abandoned it, stole another and made away with it. This is an unfortunate thing that has happened. His body has been deposited at the mortuary and police investigation has commenced,” Omoni said.

He added that the deceased had earlier contacted the police to inform them that there was kidnapping in his area, at Umuogba, Aluu community in Ikwerre Local Council of Rivers.