There was jubilation as High Court sitting in Otuocha in Anambra East Local Government of Anambra State has discharged and acquitted 11 youths from Uruebo Nkewelle Ezunaka community over alleged attempted kidnap, cultism, and malicious damage against a priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma ( aka Ebubemnso).
The fiery priest and spiritual director of Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, Anambra State, who hails from the town had in June 2020, arrested the youths over alleged attempted kidnap, malicious damage, cultism on his life, and another four-count charge against the youths.
But, when the matter was called up for a trial, the complainant Obimma told the court his intention to withdraw the case on the ground that the youths were his brothers who should be forgiven.
“If we should go by the legal interruption, I don’t think, the youths will come out of the case but there is saying in law that ‘we should tamper justice with mercy and injustice man was condemned and at the same time in mercy man was redeemed’. They are my brothers but something happened, so I had to give them correction.
“What is important is that there is peace now and everybody is happy, hooliganism is bad, cultism is bad and I will continue to warn the youths against the vices. I advise the youths to be industrious and work hard to actualize our dream. The youths are the hope of the nation”
Fr. Obimma said.
The presiding Judge, Justice H. N Ozoh after hearing from the complainant, discharged and acquitted the youths.
There was wild jubilation at the court premises immediately the Judge discharged the youths by the people of the community and family members of the youths who besieged the court.
The youths who came from the Correctional Centre with inmate uniform immediately came out of the court changed their clothes and joined their family members in celebration.
The discharged youths, family members, and well wishes in motorcade drove back to their community with cultural music and fanfare. Those at home received the youths with happiness and thank God for vindicating the innocent youths who never committed any crime before they were thrown into prison for eight months.
Some of the elders in the town Ogbuefi Abel Okafor and Ogbuefi Augustine Okadigbo who their sons were among the youths released commended the court for doing the needful and said that a lot needs to be done in the community to bring lasting peace.
They noted that their children never committed the crime they were accused of by the Rev. Fr. Obimma, stressing that the withdrawal of the case was a way forward for peace and reconciliation.
