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By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Awka Progressives Forum (APF), comprising patriots and professionals of Awka extraction, Awka South Local Government Area (LGA), Anambra State, has appealed to law enforcement agents to extend and conduct thorough investigation into the missing realtor, Mr Ben Ezemma alias Big Ben.
Ezemma, Vice Chairman of Dubai Estate, Awka, reportedly went missing on November 12, 2024 after attending a meeting, according to a petition written to Department of Security Services (DSS) by his wife on November 13, 2024.
The wife also alleged that her husband equally met with other persons, including a security expert, Ozo Jeff Nweke at his Mango and Lion Properties building in Awka same day he went missing, prompting DSS to file a suit at the High Court of Justice, Awka against Nweke and other persons.
APF in a statement in Awka on Wednesday, urged the law enforcement agents to extend investigation to other business associates of Big Ben such as the Chairman of Durbai Estate, Mr Chukwudi Ezenma so as to quickly unravel circumstances surrounding the missing person.
The statement signed by the Chairman of the forum, Mr Ken Igwedimma and his Secretary, Mr Chinwuko Ibeabuchi, explained that extending the investigation would also help to prevent miscarriage of justice and witch-hunting of innocent personalities like Ọzọ Jeff Nweke owing to his philanthropist.
The Forum said it decided to speak up after it's attention was drawn to some snide unsigned Facebook remarks made by faceless people aimed at denigrating the person of Ozo Jeff Nweke and or impugning his character before the right thinking public.
The statement said that such unsubstantiated Facebook remarks made before the matter is heard may be aimed at diverting attention, the more reason the security agencies should be more proactive and pursue their investigation diligently.
"Such snide remarks in our view amounts to outright assassination of the character of Ozo Jeff Nweke, a media trial before the hearing and a ploy to denigrate and portray him in bad light in the eyes of undiscerning members of the public.
" Our investigations after reading the unsigned Facebook post showed that every piece of the write up therein was doubtful and out of tune with the character of Ozo Jeff Nweke who we have known as a philanthropist, fighter for the oppressed and less privileged members whose drive is to see to the development of Ezinano community and Awka in general with his hard earned resources.
" We recall that in December 2024, Ozo Nweke, a private security expert had pledged a #10million bounty on any information that could lead to the arrest by the police of those who murdered over 16 people in neighbouring Nibo community during their new yam festival.
" He had also donated on behalf of Ezinano community the sum of #100million to be shared among women and widows in Ezinano, to enable them engage in meaningful ventures and contribute their quota to the development of society because according to him, ' an idle mind is the devil's workshop '.
" We are honestly taken aback by this obvious campaign of calumny against Ozo Jeff Nweke and wondered why the writer chose to remain faceless if his intentions and motivations were not sinister. We advise that these faceless Facebook writers who indulge in this campaign of calumny to channel their energies toward unraveling the mystery behind the disappearance of Benjamin Ezemma on November 12, 2024, as reported by his wife for positive results."
" Our investigations after reading some unsigned Facebook post showed that every piece of the write up therein was doubtful and out of tune with the character of Ozo Jeff Nweke who we have known as a philanthropist, fighter for the oppressed and less privileged members whose drive is to see to the development of Ezinano community and Awka in general with his hard earned resources.
"We are honestly taken aback by this obvious campaign of calumny against Ozo Jeff Nweke and wondered why the writer chose to remain faceless if his intentions and motivations were not sinister. We advise that these faceless Facebook writers who indulge in this campaign of calumny to channel their energies toward unraveling the mystery behind the disappearance of Benjamin Ezemma on November 12, 2024, as reported by his wife for positive results," it added.