….says he was prepared to face consequences for his actions
21-year old apprentice, Chiemerie Anieke, who allegedly struck his Master, late Mr. Ikechukwu Nwite to death with pestle, says his action were not triggered by influence of drugs or alcohol.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
Chiemerie Anieke who killed his boss at No. 2 Enyiuko Street, Fegge, Onitsha,
blamed it on the devil.
The innocent looking, but fearless boy without any sign of remorse said he was prepared to face consequences for his actions.
Speaking at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where his case was transferred to, the suspect denied most of the allegations, including returning late that fateful day and drug addiction.
According to him, since he would not be forgiven, needles asking for forgiveness.
“I’m ready to face the consequences; either death by hanging or shooting, I’m ready to die and face judgement because I know I will not be forgiven even if I ask for it,” he affirmed.
He however confessed killing the Master with pestle as well as attacking the sister with same object.
His words, “I came over to Onitsha in 2023 to learn the trade at the instance of my elder brother who has connection with my Master. I had to agree to relocate to Onitsha since my parents who are peasant farmers could not afford to sponsor my university education, even when I passed both West African Examination Council (WAEC) and Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams.
“The relationship with my master was cordial at the initial time, until recently. I can remember one of the days I came back from church activity, my Oga pounced on me, insisting I should tell him where I went to. I reported that experience to my elder brother who linked me up to my Oga. My brother advised me to patiently endure and see the maltreatment as part of the apprenticeship experience.
Speaking on what triggered the murder, the suspect said:
“I came back from market that Saturday around 7.30pm. I didn’t come back late, neither did I visit any girl friend. Instead, I was not feeling fine. I noticed my head was aching and I had to visit a chemist shop where I bought some drugs.
“Meanwhile, I took permission from my Oga’s sister before going. But before I came back, she had already called my Oga to tell him that I’m not at home and he instructed they should not let me in.
“I was outside for a long time before my Oga’s wife, who was ignorant of the directives from his husband opened the door for me.
“When my boss came back around 3am, I took the “aka odo” (pestle) in the kitchen and hit him thrice at the back of the head. I also dashed to the room where the sister was sleeping and hit her too.
“She suddenly woke up and struggled over the pestle with me before rushing out to call for neighbor’s intervention.
“I’ve been hearing rumours that my Master has discovered about my savings, and was planning to collect the entire money and punish me severely. Since I was already fed up with what I’m doing and have decided to quit so I can use the money to set up my own business, I had no option than to take the action.
” Besides, I’ve also begged him severally to buy phone for me being the only person in the entire compound without a phone, but he refused,” he explained.
Chiemerie who denied his actions were triggered by influence of drugs or alcohol, blamed it on the devil.
“I used to take tablets of tramadol. But when my Oga discovered I was taking the drug, he warned me to stop and I obeyed. I’ve not been taking the drug until I came to Onitsha.
“So it was neither drugs nor alcohol that caused it. I can’t just explain what came over me that day. I think it’s the devil’s manipulation.
“Actually, my intention was not to kill him, but for the maltreatment, especially that call from my Oga’s sister to him and his instructions to lock me out of the house forced me to act that way”
