ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A human rights group under the name, Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) has called on Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa to fast track the trial of the suspected killers of Elozino Ogege, a 300-level Mass Communication student of Delta University who was murdered in 2018.
It was gathered that the suspected ritual killers beheaded and plucked out the eyes of the victim at Oghara, a town located in Ethiope West local government in the state in November 2018.
The assailants were arrested and witnesses testified before the court but justice has been delayed for the late Ogege.
AfAW noted also that the family of the deceased has been abandoned and betrayed by the government over the case.
In a statement on Thursday titled ‘Ritual Murder of University student in Delta State: Elozino Ogege’s Family Needs Justice’ by the leader of the group, Dr Leo Igwe, AfAW urged Governor Okowa to let the law have its course on the perpetrators.
The statement reads, “The Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) urges the Delta state government to expedite the trial of the suspected killers of a 300-level Mass Communication student of Delta State University, Abraka, Elozino Ogege.
“It is sad to know that years after the horrific murder of this young lady, the trial of the suspects has lingered for no reason. Justice has remained elusive. Relatives of Ms Ogege have yet to find the closure that they urgently need and deserve.
“AfAW recalls that suspected ritualists, also known as Yahoo Boys, with security guards murdered Ms Ogege in Abraka in 2018. According to media reports, these savage individuals, motivated by the superstitious quest for ritual money and wealth, abducted Elozino Ogege and decapitated her. They plucked her eyes and cut off her tongue and breasts.
“The police arrested some of the suspects and put them on trial at a court in Asaba. Witnesses have testified before the court. However, four years after the gruesome murder of Elozino Ogege, the matter is still in court: no judgment has been issued; nobody has been convicted. Nobody is serving any punishment for committing this atrocity.
“The family of Elozino Ogege feels betrayed and abandoned by the government. The family is demanding justice and compensation from the government of Delta state.
“AfAW condemns in very strong terms the lack of diligence in prosecuting the suspected killers of Elozino Ogege. This trial is a clear case of justice delayed because there is no reason for this reluctance and unwillingness to conclude the case than an intent to ensure that justice is eventually denied.
“The way that the Delta state government is handling the ritual murder of Elozino Ogege sends the wrong signals. It creates an impression that ritual attackers and murders could get away with their crimes.
“AfAW appeals to Governor Okowa to rise to his duty and ensure no further delay in the trial of the suspected killers of Elozino Ogege. The government of Delta state should act and ensure that justice is served.”