The Porosity of the security system in the Federal Government College Rumuokoro, Port Harcourt which has been a matter of concern to many stakeholders has eventually claimed the life of a teacher, late Mr. O. K. Mong, who was until his untimely death, Assistant Senior Boarding House Master of the Charity House in the school.
According to our source, the armed robbers who stormed the school on March 24, 2012 scaled the dwarf fence as usual and went straight to the staff quarters close to the main road like that of the principal (Dr.) Mrs. N C. Ogundu, without any challenges and had a field day.
In course of their operation, late Mr. Mong tried his cell phone making frantic efforts for help from the police emergency numbers and other contacts to no avail.
The source added that as robbers over heard his frightened voice calling out for help, their leader decided it was necessary to ‘waste’ this intruder who would not cooperate with them. And so they left the Kabeeru’s apartment where they were robbing to deal with the late teacher.
The robbers reportedly gained entrance from the kitchen and in spite of his wife’s pleading that the life of her husband be spared even with the offering of huge sums of money, they made up their mind to waste the Abia State born teacher whom we gathered also had been under threat by some stubborn students he had crossed ways in course of his duties.
Having succeeded in killing the teacher, the robbers concluded it will be safer they leave for that day as they have attracted enough attention.
The school authority did not deem it fit to do anything even on temporary measure to forestall future re-occurrence and so the robbers returned again on March 30, 2012, from the same route to complete their assignment, still without any resistance whatsoever, not even from the soldiers at the nearby Bori camp gate.
Left to mourn him are his widow and three little kids.
There will be service of song on Thursday April 26, 2012 at his residence from 12 Noon while a last Assembly for him will be organized on Friday April, 27, 2012 in the school Hall.
Late Mr. Mong will be laid to rest at his home town Ohafia, in Ohafia LGA of Abia State on Saturday April 28, 2012
Meanwhile the Security situation has driven the principal out of her residence as she has now temporarily relocated to town and now moves about with a retinue of armed escorts.
In another development, one Mrs. Julie Egbuhuzo, a retired Federal Ministry of Education staff has been having a running battle with some junior staff of the Federal Inspectorate Service, Fed Ministry of Education, Port Harcourt who are occupying the official quarters of the Ministry situated inside the FGC, Rumuokoro.
Mrs. Egbuhuzo claimed that she has bought the property from the FG under the presidential implementation disposal of government assets in October 2010, and therefore had been trying very hard to evict the legal occupants, Mr. Obah Kachikwu and Mr. Monday Nmuenu who incidentally are still in service, without success.
Inspite of the several quit notices which the occupants ignored, Mrs. Egbuhuzo at a point arrested them on trumped up charges and eventually succeeded in suing them to court and prison custody for over 2 months.
According to the suspects, “when we proved adamant because we did not believe her story of owning the property, she connived and set the property on fire with all our belongings inside when we were out for work to achieve her aim and surprisingly turned around and alleged that we committed the arson”.
However, Mrs. Stella Maris U. Omu, a Deputy Director and coordinating Inspector in the Ministry and the suspects’ counsels, E. I. Aman & Co and G. I. Okirigwe & Co ensured that the truth is discovered and they were let out of the hook.
This was however based on the legal opinion of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) I. Otorubio, Esq. who noted that “from the totality of the facts in the case file No PMC/42267c/2O11, “it is my considered opinion that no prima facie case of conspiracy to commit felony to wit, arson, contrary to section 516A (a) and 443 of the Criminal Code Laws, Cap 37, Vol. 2 laws of the Rivers State of Nigeria 1999 has been established against the two suspects”.
Before then the claimant had also arrested the suspects alleging that they want to kill or harm her by giving her names and cell phone number to jujumen and kidnappers.
Meanwhile, the Awalama Community in Rumuokoro who gave the vast land to the school said they were handicapped in the case when contacted.
Not even the Federal Government College authorities in whose compound the property is situated was willing to entertain any question on the matter. At present the occupants are crying out for help, saying their lives and that of their families are in danger as according to them, Mr. Egbuhuzo appears to be desperate, appealing that well-meaning Nigerians should call her to order in the interest of peace. ###
