Tragedy
hit the Umuachi-Ogo community of Ndokwa-East Local Government Area, Delta
State, on Wednesday, when the traditional ruler of the community, HRM Onotuku
Joseph Onyemali, committed suicide.
It
was gathered that the monarch was found dead after consuming a substance
suspected to be poisonous after an allegation of witchcraft was levelled
against him by some of his subjects.
Sources
said on Thursday that the corpse of the monarch was discovered at 8am on
Wednesday.
The
sources said investigation revealed that the late traditional was found
lifeless in his palace after taking some herbicide, whose container was found
near his body.
A
source told our correspondent, “While others were celebrating the release of
ex-governor James Ibori, it was all tears here as our monarch was found dead in
his room in a case we suspect is a suicide. The monarch was said to have been
accused of witchcraft by subjects.
“It
was not clear who those subjects are but the traditional ruler drank what was
considered to be a poisonous chemical, whose container was found near his
lifeless body. There is apprehension in Umuachi-Ogo since yesterday
(Wednesday).”
Another
source added that he had been buried in front of the palace in line with native
law and customs.
A
chief in the area, who confirmed the incident, declined further comment when
contacted on Thursday evening.
When
contacted on the incident, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim,
said he had not been briefed on the incident.
Source:Punch
Tags
Society