Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has been called upon to intervene in an alleged order by the commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Matters, Hon Tonycollins Nwabunwanne, halting investigations into killings in Nanka community of Orumba North Local Government Area.
A lawyer, rights activist and industrialist, Mr Chris Chinedu Enemuo who hails from Nanka made the call to the governor in an open petition.
Enemuo said there have been ongoing attrocities in the community, including killings, which some influential people were working to cover up.
The petition titled: Abuse Of Office By The Commissioner For Local Government, Chieftaincy And Community Affairs, And The Deputy Commissioner Of Police Anambra State, begged Soludo to intervene.
Part of the petition read: "With my dedication to ensuring good governance and fairness towards the current Anambra state administration, I wish to address a concerning issue involving Mr. Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy And Community Affairs, and the deputy commissioner of Police of Anambra state.
"They have issued and followed an illegitimate order outside the scope of their designated roles.
"A letter regarding cover-ups of serial gruesome murders and other killings was received and acknowledged by the governor’s office on December 20, 2023, with a reminder acknowledged on January 22, 2024.
"The Peace, Truth, And Reconciliation Committee assigned a part of the subject matter to the police for investigation, but Mr. Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne halted this process, as confirmed by the Deputy Commissioner Of Police on May 23, 2024.
"Another letter addressing this was received and acknowledged on May 24, 2024. On May 27, 2024, a letter regarding the illegitimate assumed authority and obedience to it was delivered and received by the office of the Governor.
"It is inappropriate for Mr. Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne, as commissioner, to instruct or counter-instruct a police officer who has been directed by the governor’s office to conduct an investigation. It is also improper for the police to obey such an illegitimate order.
"From the evidence available, it appears that Mr. Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne and the deputy commissioner of Police are overstepping their authority, contravening legitimate orders, and procedural norms.
"I strongly object to this mismanagement and protest against their respective actions.
"I support the new Anambra initiative and will not allow a few individuals to undermine it. Therefore, I urge your office (governor) to instruct the individuals and concerned departments to respond to all pending letters and the current protest," Enemuo begged.
Attempt by journalists to reach the commissioner failed, as calls to his mobile phone were not reachable as at the time of filing this report.
