Councillor beats 19-yr-old nephew to death over missing phone

A local politician in Anambra State has been arrested for allegedly beating his own nephew to death over a stolen mobile phone.

 

A local politician said to be a member of the Anambra State Council, Chidiebere Onyema, has been arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly beating his 19-year-old nephew identified as Nnanyere, to death over a missing mobile phone.

It was gathered from South-South Reports that Onyema, who is the Councillor representing Nsogwu Umunze Ward 2 in Orumba South Local Government of Area  of the state, had accused the boy who was his brother's son, of stealing the phone but the deceased denied taking the phone.

Onyema, in a bid to retrieve the phone, resorted to beating Nnanyere till he gave up the ghost.

The mother of the late boy, Gloria Onyema, said her son died following beatings he received from the councillor, as according to her, Onyema came to their house and asked after the deceased, adding that when her husband, Okwudili, opened the door, he saw Chidiebere fuming.

She said though her husband promised the councillor that he would pass his message to Nnanyere, who was not at home at that time and pleaded with his brother to be patient till they returned in the evening, Onyema came back in their absence and beat the boy to death.

“I went to look for Nnanyere and met him at the councillor’s house lying down  helplessly. I was told that my son stole the councillor’s cell phone.

I offered to pay N20,000 as part payment of the N35,000 the councillor claimed was the cost of the phone so that my son can be released to me to enable me take him to hospital for treatment.

On getting to the Immaculate Hospital, Umunze, with my son, he was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.”

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ali Okechukwu, confirmed the incident, saying that the Councillor has been detained at the State Investigation Bureau, SIB, Awka, while investigation is ongoing.