Family of Murdered Pastor Appeals for Urgent Legal Intervention in Cross River State
From Our Correspondent.
In a gripping account of a family’s search for justice, Ernest Onyeka has shared the harrowing narrative surrounding the murder of his brother, Pastor Princewill Ikenna, a 30-year-old youth pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). Princewill was tragically killed on September 3, 2022, in Ikom, Cross River State, an incident that has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns about the integrity of the local judiciary.
Ernest claims that the legal proceedings have been mired in delays, questionable rulings, and the alarming release of key suspects on ostensibly dubious health grounds. In a viral video, he demanded intervention from state officials, including Governor Bassey Edet Otu and Attorney General Ededem Charles Ani, urging them to prevent the case from gradually fading into obscurity.
The case, initially thought to be solid with compelling evidence—including confessions, forensic findings, and three bullets extracted from Princewill’s skull—has faced numerous adjournments and procedural setbacks. Just days before a scheduled hearing, the family’s lawyer was informed of a date change, causing significant concern over the handling of the case.
Chief among the controversies is the bail granted to Pastor Peter Uchenna, the primary suspect, based on alleged health issues. Eyewitness accounts and video evidence soon after depicted Uchenna preaching vigorously in his Lagos church, raising questions about the legitimacy of his release. “It’s been over two years, and we’ve not gotten justice,” Ernest lamented.
Details surrounding Princewill’s tragic death have shed further light on the shocking circumstances. Originally from Anambra State, Princewill was last seen leaving for a haircut before his family discovered he had been murdered. Shortly after his disappearance, his vehicle—a Lexus RX 350—was tracked down to a panel-beating shop in Lagos, where it was being repainted to disguise its identity. The mechanic implicated Uchenna as the one who brought the vehicle to be altered.
In subsequent police investigations, Uchenna reportedly confessed to being present during the murder, implicating accomplices who allegedly carried out the fatal shooting. Despite the charges of murder and armed robbery against Uchenna and his co-accused, repeated judicial delays have left the family without closure.
However, recent developments have sparked hope for the grieving family as the Cross River State Government has intervened, emphasizing that further delays in the case will not be tolerated. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has been instructed to expedite the handling of the case, signaling a potential turning point in the long struggle for justice.
