A Yoruba socio-cultural youth group, Yoruba Youths Collective Solidarity Movement (YOCOSOM), has disclosed its plan to drag the Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, to the International Criminal Court (ICC), for allegedly harboring the principal suspect in the attack against the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) spokesperson, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere.

The group also called on all European and American countries to ensure a total visa ban on Uzodinma, his family members, and all members of his cabinet until he releases one Chinasa Nwaneri to the Police for proper investigation and necessary prosecution if found guilty.

YOCOSOM alleged that it believes that the attackers were not unknown gunmen but sponsored thugs allegedly employed by Nwaneri, the Special Assistant to the governor on special duties.

According to a statement issued by the group on Tuesday, Nwaneri’s threat calls to the CUPP spokesperson prior to the January 14 attack have gone viral and fingers are being pointed at him as the most likely mastermind of the deadly attack.

The statement signed by Peter Oyewole, Director of Contact and Mobilisation, YOCOSOM, reads in part, “Few days after Mr. Ugochinyere was attacked, the house of the Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo state, Christopher Ohizu, was also attacked with his house burnt and he was later gruesomely murdered.

“We join other Nigerians to state that the number one suspect in the arson and murders that took place at Barrister Ikenga’s country home on January 14 is Mr. Chinasa Nwaneri who is a special assistant to the governor of Imo state.

“We are aware that as a sitting governor, Mr. Hope Nzodinma has constitutional immunity in Nigeria but he doesn’t have international immunity. To this end, we are calling on the diplomatic community in Nigeria. being a direct threat to democracy and rule of law in Nigeria, all European and American countries are hereby appealing to ensure a total Visa ban on Mr. Hope Nzodinma, his family members and all members of his entourage serving in his government until he releases Mr. Chinasa Nwaneri to the Police for proper investigation and necessary prosecution if found guilty.

“Threat to life is a criminal offense particularly when the threat has been executed. The security agencies, especially the Police and DSS must get Chinasa Nwaneri arrested and investigated because he is the only suspect in this matter.

“We will take this further beyond this Press Release in the coming days as we will collaborate with some Civil Society Organisations to submit official petitions against Governor Hope Uzodinma to the various European and American embassies in addition to petitioning against him at the International Criminal Court.

“We stand firmly in solidarity with the CUPP and its spokesperson in this terrible incident in demanding quick justice on the crime," he stated. (Daily Independent)

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