Family Of Murdered Footballer, Izu Cries Out About Army's Intimidation On Witnesses

The Military has been accused of attempts to foil investigation on the circumstances that led to the death of Izu Joseph, the Nigerian professional footballer with Shooting Stars football club.

Izu was allegedly killed by men of the Nigerian Army in Okarki community in Ahaoda-West Local government area of Rivers state.

Lawyers representing the family of Joseph Izu at a media briefing in Port Harcourt said there were attempts by members of the Nigerian Army to cover-up the incidents that happened on the day Izu was killed.

Speaking on behalf of the Lawyers, Soala Jumbo said they had received reports of intimidation of potential witnesses by the Nigerian army. Jumbo said the alleged actions of the Nigerian army were inimical to the administration of Justice in Nigeria.

The Lawyers called on relevant human rights authorities and the National Assembly to wade into the investigation of the incidents that led to the killing of the footballer, Izu Joseph in the interest of other innocent Nigerians.

Jumbo said, “As we have previously noted, it is not in dispute that members of the Nigerian Army killed Joseph Izu on the 16th of October, 2016, this much, the Army has admitted. Since that incident, however, members of the contingent of soldiers who raided the community on that fateful day have visited the community at least on two subsequent occasions.

“Reports we have received suggests the use of threats and intimidation. “We believe that these acts are inimical to the administration of justice and have had the effect of intimidating our potential witnesses in the matter. Eye witnesses who were previously very willing to recount the details of what transpired have suddenly become reticent preferring to keep quiet.

“We humbly call on the highest authorities of the Nigerian Army and indeed the President and Commander in-Chief of the Armed Forces to intervene and prevent any concealment of the truth.

“We request that the particular group of soldiers fingered in this offence be temporarily decommissioned or redeployed from operating in that area until full investigation has been carried-out.”

credit: dailypost