The unfortunate attack on my younger brother, Ameh Comrade Godwin led by Prince Onuh, some thugs in Abuja – Alfred Apochi

The true story:

My name is Alfred Apochi. I want to sincerely apologize for releasing my statement slightly late. It has not been easy as I’m just trying to recover from the shock and injuries I sustained from the unfortunate incident, which almost claimed the life of my brother, Ameh.

I am at the centre of everything and this is the true account of what transpired between our own Ameh Comrade Godwin, Prince Onuh and some thugs on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 in Area 8, Abuja.

One fact that needs to be established first is that Onuh had stopped picking up my calls ever since he started his political career in Ogbadibo, but I was surprised when he called me that he was in Abuja during the weekend and apologized for not taking my calls.

He insisted that since Ameh is related to me, I should come along with him, noting that he had a surprise gift for him in appreciation of his effort towards his (Onuh’s) election. He, however, urged me not to tell him (Ameh) since it was a surprise.

I called my brother on Monday to meet me up in town, but he was engaged and couldn’t meet up. After several attempts amid pressures from Onuh that he would be travelling out of Abuja the following day (Thursday), I begged Ameh to try to meet up with the appointment. A point to note here is that Ameh didn’t know I was actually taking him to Onuh. To him, the whole thing was a set up.

Onu kept telling me not to mention his name to Ameh because it was a surprise.

Why I didn’t bother to probe further was because I felt both of them are from the same community (Owukpa), the same political family (PDP) and under the leadership of Senator Abba Moro.

I had no single knowledge that he was going to ambush my brother (Comrade). At first, he asked us to meet him at Rivers Plate around Secretariat, few minutes later, he called that we should meet at Eden Garden around Jabi.

I still called my brother about the change of venue. While heading there, he called again that we should meet around Area 8, that he had left Jabi. At this point I became confused.

I called Ameh and apologized that he should meet me at Area 8.

I stressed the young man to come to the agreed venue.

On getting there, Frank came out from a building; I was shocked because I never knew he was in the country. We exchanged pleasantries and his brother, Samuel also arrived.

The moment he saw Ameh, he said, “See how God just delivered this idiot into my hand. Go and kneel down there.”

Out of shock, I said, “is this a film or what?” Before I could say anything, Samuel descended on him. While I was trying to prevent him from further attacking the young man, some huge guys arrived from behind and pounced on him (Ameh) and started assaulting him. While trying to protect my brother, Samuel also pounced on me and started beating me, warning that if I stayed on his way, he would kill me.

When Ameh could no longer bear the assault, he took off and one of them went after him and started shouting thief! Barawo! Some boys from the area came out with weapons and started chasing him (Ameh) with the intent to lynch him thinking he was truly a thief.

At that point, I had to cry to them that he was not a thief and the young man ran to a nearby compound where he was rescued.

If not God, I would have ended my life in jail if he had died of the attacks and what will I tell my family? ‘Ugbugbu and Udaburu’ soil will never forgive me.

When I called Prince Onuh later that night. He claimed we had not seen me since last year.

When I told him there was a record of the incident, he warned me not to confirm what happened to anybody. He told me to maintain that he hasn’t seen me since last year. How is that done? Should I betray my own brother for his selfish and inordinate ambition?

I want the whole world to know that whatever happens to Ameh, me, or any member of our family or any one fighting to ensure justice in this case, Prince Onuh and his brother, Frank should be held responsible.

‘Alekwu Owukpa’ and Ugbugbu bears me witness that I never knew Prince Samuel Onuh had the plan to hurt my own blood.

Our great grandfather, A’dikwu Ojiji’ would bear me witness that I will never plan evil against my own brother, not even Ameh who gave me good publicity during my tenure as the Councillor representing Ehaje Ward II.

This is an insult on my person and career and I promise that those involved will surely face the music.

I apologize to Ameh, his immediate family, principal, friends and associates over everything that happened. I am with him come what may.

I have also taken legal action over incident because anyone who could go this extent is not fit to be among sane people in the society.

As our elders would say, “oyi lo kene anu gbiyola ni, oga gbiyola no.”

Thank you.

Hon. Fred Apochi