The Senator Representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, alongside Senators Ned Nwoko (Delta North) and Joel Onowakpo-Thomas (Delta South), yesterday, visited the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa with respect to the situation of the King of Ewu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, His Majesty, King Clement Ikolo, Urhukpe 1, Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom, who has been held by the Nigerian military after the later turned himself over to the Nigeria Police force.
It would be recalled that the monarch had turned himself in to the police authorities in Delta State Command, and was subsequently handed over to the military high-Command hours after he was declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters in connection to the killing of 17 military personnel in Okuama community of Delta state.
At the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Senator Dafinone engaged fruitfully with the CDS, underlying the need on the part of the military authorities to release His Majesty, King Clement Ikolo, while investigations are ongoing in line with global best practices/ treaties in many international jurisdictions which Nigeria is a signatory.
Senator Dafinone, a distinguished professional and certified international chartered Accountant of Guinness World Record used the meeting with the CDS to underline the need for a swift and thorough investigation to ensure that innocent individuals are not unduly inconvenienced, traumatized, while recognizing the fact that the mere presence at a crime scene does not equate to criminal responsibility.
Dafinone who was accompanied by Senator Ned Nwoko, disclosed that he also leveraged the opportunity to visit the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps where he was granted the opportunity of having an audience with His Majesty, King Clement Ikolo. According to the Senator, he was relieved to see that the King is in good health.
Dafinone noted that he will continue to do everything within the confines of the law to ensure the prompt release of His Majesty and all other individuals being held in connection with the Okuama tragedy.
