Group demands immediate arrest, prosecution of WIZCHINO CEO over alleged murder of personal driver

Zuo (right) with Gov. Udom Emmanuel (middle) and Works Commissioner, Prof Ibanga (left)

Group demands immediate arrest, prosecution of WIZCHINO CEO over alleged murder of personal driver


A human rights group, Citizens Liberation Movement (CLM) has called for the immediate arrest, detention and prosecution of one Jack Zou, who is the Chief Executive Officer of a Chinese Construction Firm, WIZCHINO Engineering Limited, following the controversial death of his personal driver, Mr Akaninyene Ime Archibong.

The group via a statement signed by its Convener, Ofonime Honesty, said Mr Zou and his company have exhibited impunity and lack of interest in the matter.
CLMs call comes on the heels of a seven-day ultimatum issued by Uwem Nyong Esq. of The Enterprise Solicitors, who is the Counsel to the wife of the deceased, Mrs Ruth Akaninyene Archibong.

The lawyer implored Zou and his company to ascertain the real cause of the demise following mounting rumours that the late Akaninyene Ime Archibong was murdered.
The lawyer also demanded that the Zou and his company "arrange for the funeral of Late Mr. Akaninyene Ime Archibong whose  body has been abandoned in the morgue for almost two (2) years; release to the family all personal properties of Late Mr. Akaninyene Ime Archibong including his two (2) cars and two (2) plots of land; Pay over his entitlements and benefits to the family; Pay Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000) compensation for the loss of their bread winner who died due to negligence by the Company, exposure to danger, cruel and poor working conditions."
The demand notice which was also addressed to Governor Udom Emmanuel, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Ministry of Works and Fire Service, is dated June 28, 2022.
Time frame for compliance to the demand notice has since expired.

Following the expiration of the notice, CLM via a petition sent to the Akwa Ibom State Government and security agencies demands that Mr. Zou be held on grounds of suspected involvement in the demise of the deceased, having failed to explain the circumstances which led to the widely rumoured murder case.
Zou (left) with Mrs Martha Udom Emmanuel, wife of the Governor

The group also lambasted the construction firm's CEO for "grossly disrespecting the life and dignity of Nigerians whom he sees as inferior beings."

"Cases of gross violations of rights of Nigerian staff of the firm are much. We cannot also forget the unprovoked shooting of Mr. Godwin Udoka, a judiciary staff in the state, by soldier attached to the company, is still fresh in our memory. It seems impunity oxygenates WIZCHINO Engineering Limited," CLM complained.

The statement further reads:
"The late Akaninyene diligently served Jack Zou as his personal driver for over 20 years in spite of documented complaints of poor conditions of service. The deceased leaved in the company's quarters provided but his boss.

"Upon his demise, Zou has snubbed his corpse for over two years, refused to pay his due compensation/ entitlement to his family, seized his two cars and two plots of land. One Okongor, the company's Public Relations Officer, during a visit to the company by the wife of the deceased, in June, 2021, pointedly said the company has no hand in the death, and should not be pestered to arrange the funeral. To worsen issues, the family has me relocated to a rural area, even as his two children, Mary Akaninyene Ime (13 years) and Goodluck Akaninyene
Ime (6 years) have dropped out from school due to paucity of funds."

The group appealed to Governor Udom Emmanuel to personally wade into the matter since it is on record that the construction firm handles most construction contracts for the state government.

Furthermore, CLM decried that it was absurd for the police not to have investigated a matter that happened since 2020, wondering why Mr Zou is being treated as a sacred cow.

"As we have done in other cases brought before us, we as a body has taken it as a burden to ensure that Mr. Zou is arrested and prosecuted. We call on the state government to ensure that people like him are kept where they belong. We call on the Inspector-General of Police to redeem the image of the police by ensuring that he is brought to justice. Keeping silent while the Late Akaninyene's family battle this trauma is not an option for us. Our legally backed action will surprise Zou, who thinks he is above the law", CLM added in the statement.

Checks by our reporter indicate that neither the police, Governor Udom Emmanuel nor the State House of Assembly has waded into the matter despite been earlier notified of it by Uwem Nyong Esq, counsel to the wife of the deceased.

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