Okonkwo was arraigned for causing unrest at Kaura Modern Market on the 26th of May 2023.
A Magistrate Court in Abuja on Monday discharged An Abuja-based businessman and Chief Executive Officer of Daniels Entertainment Ltd, Mr Daniel Okonkwo, for the offence of disturbance of public peace.
Okonkwo was arraigned for causing unrest at Kaura Modern Market on the 26th of May 2023.
The businessman, through his family, informed the court in October that he was ready to proceed with the trial and begged the court to dismiss the case for lack of a timely trial.
SaharaReporters earlier reported how Daniel Okonkwo raised the alarm over a threat to his life and immediate family by one Chima C. PK a trader in Kaura Market, while accusing the Officer in charge of Kaura Market Police Post, DSP Mary Lsah of complicity in May.
Okonkwo had alleged that after he said Chima had assaulted him and inflicted bodily injuries on him, the Deputy Superintendent of Police in charge of the post in the market threatened to charge him to court if he failed to withdraw a report against Chima for assaulting him.
The police boss also openly threatened to kill him.
The Label executive who spoke to SaharaReporters about the unfolding incident expressed fears that his life and that of the immediate family were no longer safe, adding that the said Chima took pictures of his six-year-old daughter and his wife and he did not know what would happen thereafter since the police had taken sides after collecting bribes.
Narrating the incident to SaharaReporters, Okonkwo said, “It all started last year when I got a store for my wife at Kaura Market and it’s unfortunate that it didn’t come with a restroom, but the market has a public restroom, and my wife can’t take my six years old daughter there.
“So, anytime my daughter is pressed, my wife would take her to the corner of a warehouse by the walkway that demarcates us from the warehouse. However, Chima’s store is at the place adjacent to the warehouse which is divided by the walkway. My wife would go there with a potty and nylon to tie and dispose the waste.
“As a neighbour in store number 17/25 Kaura Market, Okonkwo stated that Chima kept harassing and insulting his wife from the time they got to that store, adding that he (Chima) was literally stalking his wife, “and went as far as taking photos of my daughter and wife.” This he said continued until Friday May 26, 2023 when his wife and daughter caught him taking their photo.”
Continuing, Okonkwo said, he had already briefed a member of the market and Chima’s friend, one Mr Frank of the incident and asked him to talk to him. “Last Friday being May 26, 2023 Mr Frank came to my store to brief me of the conversation he had with Mr Chima and they agreed to meet with the Chima and settle whatever the matter is. We went to Chima’s store, on getting there we saw Mr Chima outside his store. I waited at the door and he asked us to come in, and while we were in his store it started drizzling. At that point Mr Frank rushed out to go to his store and take in some of his goods.
“After Frank left, Mr Chima turned to me and started raining insults on me, calling me unprintable names.”
Okonkwo stated that after he took time to explain the matter to a nearby woman who asked and while he was talking to the woman outside, Chima came and slapped him and threw punches at him.
“He ran into his store and carried a 20 kg welding cylinder which I mistook for a big fire extinguisher and threw it at me while I fended it off with my hands.” Not satisfied with what he had done Okonkwo added, “Immediately he pounced on me and plunged his teeth on my cheek and people rushed and were pulling him out of my face. By the time he was pulled out he had already pulled my flesh and my face started bleeding.”
He said that immediately he was rushed to the police post in the market where he reported the matter, adding that while he was making his report, the said Chima rushed in and the 2IC ordered one officer Moses to detain him. “Thereafter, officer Moses took me to the hospital for treatment.”
Okonkwo regretted that by the time they got back he saw Chima in the DPO’s office sitting comfortably and laughing.
When SaharaReporters reached out to the DPO on telephone for reaction, she said she actually asked Mr Okonkwo to withdraw the case saying “Yes, because they were fighting; that was why I said he should withdraw the case.”
