Lawmakers in the Anambra House of Assembly on Tuesday eulogised one of their murdered colleague, Okechukwu Okoye during a valedictory session held in his honour. But the deceased’s family asserted that the eulogies would be useless if the parliament did not ensure that the lawmaker’s killers are arrested and prosecuted.

Mr Okoye represented Aguata Constituency II before he was abducted on May 15. The police confirmed his death on May 21. 

He was a first term lawmaker and the House Committee on Information chair.

In his valedictory speech, the speaker, Uche Okafor, described Mr Okoye as an outspoken, peaceful, humane, selfless politician and an articulate legislator.

“We commiserate with the Okoye family of Isuofia in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra over the painful death of their son and one of us, Dr Okechukwu Okoye. He was abducted and gruesomely murdered by gunmen in the most horrible and barbaric manner. His death is still shocking to us and the entire state,” said Mr Okafor.

The speaker added, “The late Dr Okoye can be described as one of the finest, outspoken and articulate lawmakers. His sense of humour and humane disposition as well as his mastery of the rules of the House distinguished him among his colleagues. He was indeed the man of the people and a selfless politician. This legislative institution, his constituency and the entire state have lost a personality of many positive attributes.”

The bereaved family’s representative, David Okoye (the deceased lawmaker’s brother), thanked the assembly and demanded justice.

“It is sad that since his death, we have not heard from the assembly. All we want is justice for the death of our brother. Without justice, all your eulogies are vanity and if his killers are not brought to book, we do not know who might be next,” he stressed.

Governor Charles Soludo, while condoling with Mr Okoye’s family, said his administration was taking necessary measures to rid Anambra of criminals and bring the deceased’s killers to book.

Mr Soludo, represented by Deputy Governor Onyekachi Ibezim, urged the parliament and residents to cooperate with the government and security agencies in tackling insecurity in the state.

Edward Ibuzo, representing Onitsha North Constituency ll, said Mr Okoye’s death was an opportunity for everyone to reflect on their mortality.

(NAN)