Legal counsel to Prince Amour Udemude, a journalist and member of the Asaba Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Delta State, has petitioned the State Commissioner of Police and the State Director of State Security Service, (SSS), Asaba over plans by unknown persons to assassinate the journalist.
Titled “Re: Plans To Assassinate Prince Amour Udemude By Unknown Persons” the petition signed by Prince Udemude’s counsel, Mr. C. F. Ebu, of the Legacy Chamber, Asaba, described the plans as evil, uncivilized, barbaric and dastardly act.
The journalist had raised the alarm over plot by unknown persons to assassinate him.
Prince Udemude disclosed that: “Intelligence report before me has revealed that a certain guy who goes by a nickname ‘Colonel’ has been contracted to assassinate me. The information at my disposal also revealed that a certain chairman of a local government is in the picture of the unholy act.”
He said he has been a critic of issues generally in no particular order in Delta State and that as a result some persons who feel ruffled and uncomfortable want to silence him.
He added: “It is a known fact that as a Journalist, I have been critical of the Delta state government and general issues in no particular order in the state, as a result, some persons who feel ruffled and uncomfortable want me silenced. This information is for the general public, however, my lawyers, have officially notified relevant authorities”.
Mr. Ebu, in the petition said: “We act as solicitors for Prince Amour Udemude, a Journalist and Public Affairs Commentator. Information reaching us shows that he has been penciled down for assassination and will be assassinated anytime from now by unknown persons.”
“One Colonel and others were said to have been hired to carry out the dastardly act and a local government chairman in Delta state is also said to be in the picture. We are writing to let you know of this situation and for the record”.
Mr. Ebu said journalists as watch dogs of the society are duty bound to hold governments and the society in general accountable and there are constitutional and legal means of seeking redress if a Journalist erred and not by threats to their lives and that of their families or resort to assassinating them.
