Ahamefula Ogbu
12 March 2002
Enugu — Alleges use of poisonous gas
Former national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, has called on the Federal Government to intervene and unravel the actual course of deaths at a prayer ground in the state recently where 14 lives were lost.
Nwodo, who said he has conducted a preliminary independent investigation into the matter submitted that though facts at his disposal now may not be conclusive, he suspected that a poisonous gas was fired at the venue, which ought to be given a proper investigation.
"It is our view that the investigation going on in the state seem to have reached a conclusion before starting. The police seem to be in favour of the side of the government. The governor, going by his pronouncements, the judicial panel of inquiry is a white wash. The inquiry will be to vindicate the governor as it will be embarrassing to come up with anything otherwise.
"That is why we are calling on the Federal Government to set up an independent investigation into who released the pisonous gas. My position is, let us go beyond the state and get to the root of this matter," he said.
On why he suspected that gas was used on the worshippers, Nwodo said his facts were gleaned from testimonies of people who worked in the Government Technical College ground where the incident happened. This is in addition to his observation that "the rate of degeneration of the corpses were quite fast for people who were healthy before death," adding "the fast decomposition is unusual but a forensic analysis will be needed before one can run into conclusions."
Also at the conference was former military administrator, Colonel Anthony Oguguo among other prominent citizens. While lending his voice to the call for an independent investigation, Oguguo said, "I feel very concerned on what is happening and what may happen. I am not attacking or blaming anybody until we find out what happened but it will be unfortunate if I watch our descent into the abyss."
Nwodo and Oguguo condemned the treatment meted out to the Vicar-General of the Catholic Church in the state, Reverend Father Monsignor Obiora Ike, who they said was locked up with criminals in a Force Criminal Investigation Department cell from where he was released early Saturday.
According to them, it was cruel detaining the Catholic Church for allegedly issuing a statement on the death of worshippers at the "adoration ground" organised by Father Ejike Mbaka on Wednesday.
Speaking further on the result of his investigation, Nwodo said, "We spoke with workers on that ground, the security, some worshippers, technicians and stewards including those near the gate when the incident happened. We spoke to those who left the ground before it happened and said they did not see anything. We also spoke to those who witnessed what happened.
"Depending on what each person say, they related different different experiences. What we are getting at is that at about 5 a.m. when the main gate was opened, a 504 station wagon which had a siren moved towards the ground and the back door opened and someone shot something into the air and zoomed off, then a 608 lorry came and blocked the gate.
"Those who came to the gate fainted and those who came from behind and inhaled the air also fainted and fell on those already on the ground. The technician said about the time Father Mbaka made an altar call, there was a sudden power surge and the lights went out smoking. When the generating set was put on there was light in the generating room but the ones outside did not come on. They later said that a neutral wire was plugged on the main."
One of the witnesses, Chinedu Anuonam said when he learnt something was happening at the gate, "I rushed there and smelt an odour which made me weak and I could go no further."
Another, John Nwafor Azi said, "all around the ground, there was light but in the arena, there was no light. When I put on the generator and changed the switch it was only the bulb at the plant room that was on." Rita Aniebonam said "when we finished, I passed through the gate and felt faint, I complained to the person closest to me that I was feeling bad, it took me one hour to recover."
Asked of either Nwodo, Oguguo or others who addressed the press had made any attempt to speak with the governor by the issue, Nwodo replied "you know Father Mbaka had said there was a threat on his life by the governor and our relationship is like oil and water."
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