Possession Of Firearms: Court Acquits Ogwashi-Uku High Chief, Gabriel Ohai

The Magistrate Court at Ibusa in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State has discharged and fully acquitted High Chief Gabriel Ohai who is the Odogwu (Warlord of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom) of all charges brought against him in Case MID/85C/2022 between the COMMISSIONER OF POLICE V. GABRIEL OHAI.

The magistrate who heard the case was – D. N OKAFOR (MRS) CHIEF MAGISTRATE GRADE II, and the charges were UNLAWFUL POSSESSION of a cartridge.

Recall that prior to his selection and installation as the Odogwu of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom, a candidate who also was interested in the Odogwu Chieftaincy title Godwin Asikawili alias Terror with two others namely Iloba Obata and Azuka Obata all who are currently at large and wanted by the police for murder, rape and arson, made allegations against Chief Gabriel Ohai and claimed he was in possession of firearms without registration.

This led to a cascade of events which culminated in the charges for which the Chief Gabriel Ohai has been fully acquitted off.

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Following his installation as the Odogwu of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, the same people and others attacked the Odogwu of Ogwashi-Uku. They allegedly burnt down his house and farm, murdered his personal assistant, raped a female in his house, gruesomely attacked his other associates.

They also allegedly damaged a Church near his house and a Sienna vehicle at the church. These attacks were supposedly at the instance of a serving Assistant Commissioner of Police who the office of the Attorney General of Delta State has written to the IGP in a letter dated in early March 2023 requesting for disciplinary actions to be taken against the officer so he can be charged along with the others who are facing trial with others at large.

It is understood that serving police officers have to first face disciplinary charges before they can be interdicted and then face criminal charges.

Speaking with the Odogwu of Ogwashi-Uku earlier this week after the acquittal, he said as follows “ I am very happy that the court has fully acquitted me in this matter. It was obviously a charge that was arranged by people who thought they would get at me by filing false reports. I am glad the court saw through the entire charge.

“It is my hope that the same people and their sponsors will be courageous enough to report to the police so they can face charges for what they did to me, my family and supporters. Most of them are hiding and have refused to submit themselves to the relevant law enforcement authorities. I want to assure them that they will not run forever. Justice will always take it’s course no matter how long it takes. If they think they can frustrate the process, they are highly mistaken. I will not relent in ensuring that they have their day in court just like I have done. You cannot call yourself men, have the courage and temerity to commit murder, rape, arson and then when investigated and charged, are hiding behind women’s wrappers like petty cowards to evade justice.”

The lawyer to Chief Gabriel Ohai, Barrister Ngozi Chukura declined making any comments when contacted, but expressed satisfaction with the positive verdict of the magistrate court.