By EPHRAIM NWOSU
PRESS STATEMENT BY NOLLYWOOD ACTRESS CHIOMA TOPLIS ON THREAT TO HER LIFE BY MR UCHE JAMES AKWUKWEGBU (AKA BAWAS) WHO RESIDES IN UMUAHIA.
DATED 18 JULY 2021.
Dear Nigerians this is to bring to your notice that my life and that of my younger brother Collins are being threatened by my brother-in-law Uche James Akwukwegbu (Bawas) and his wife Grace Nkem Uche (my sister). He asked a man from his village to find out where I live on Victoria Island Lagos as he has arranged for men that will rape, snap my naked pictures and kill me. The man that he sent called me to reveal this to me. I petitioned him in Abuja regarding this threat. He still went ahead and illegally arrested me from Lagos to Umuahia without any entries of the arrest made in Lagos state as confirmed by Lagos Police authorities on the 18th of June.
I was illegally detained in the police custody at zone 9 Umuahia for five days after which he could not bring any proof for all that he and his wife alleged against me. While in the police custody my health deteriorated. As a result of that I was advised to go for medical check-up but the police refused to let me go neither did they allow my doctor to see me.
I was released on bail on the 6th day with my two legs which have metal fixtures swollen. I checked myself into a clinic on getting to Lagos and I was referred to see an orthopaedic specialist for MRI scan. The scan revealed some irregularities which I have been treating. My lawyer had since sent all hospital reports to the AIG which was acknowledged.
Bawas’ arrest was immediately authorised by ACP Abbah Kyari from Abuja and on getting to his house he resisted arrest. They made some contacts who I learnt called ACP Abbah to allow him to come to Abuja on invitation.
On Tuesday 13th of July he came to Abuja IRT office where he was detained but later released on bail after our interview with DCP Sunny Abuu we were sternly warned to let the police in Abuja to continue with their investigation without any external interference.
However Bawas and his family ignored this advise as they have been harassing my witness in Umuahia threatening his family. He sent the police in zone 9 Umuahia 9n Sunday morning to arrest my uncle who took me on bail in Umuahia.
I am calling on the public to be in the know about this to make sure that we get justice and a fair hearing on this case.
Let it be known that if anything happens to me or any member of my family, Bawas and his wife and children should be held responsible.
