Outrage in Enugu as police arraign 7-year-old boy for murder

The Police in Enugu State have come under serious condemnation after it arraigned a 7-year-old boy, Chibuike Oramalu before a magistrate court for murder.

Chibuike was earlier detained for nearly one month. However, following public outcry, the police said he was in “protective custody.”

The commissioner of police in Enugu State, Emmanuel Ojukwu had told journalists that the minor would not be charged because the law forbade that.

However, the matter took a dramatic twist on Friday as Chibuike was docked for murder.

A civil society group, Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), which has been at the fore-front of struggle for Chibuike’s freedom expressed shock over the latest development.

It has, therefore, in a petition, asked the Police Service Commission to bring to book all those involved in the saga.

In a statement by the group’s President, Mr. Olu Omotayo, he described the arraignment of the minor as “most shocking.”

His petition read in part: “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 7 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 7 year old boy Chibuike Oramalu.

“The Learned Magistrates’ His Worship Hillary Asogwa, after listening to our submission agreed that the 7 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 recalled 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.”

He maintained “that the arraignment of the 7-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 7 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.

-dailypost