Ebonyi Musician Beaten To Pulp By Governor Umahi’s Aide Over Campaign Song

A musician, Kelvin Ibinabo has been allegedly beaten to a pulp by an aide to Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, over a campaign song.

The musician was hospitalized after he was allegedly brutalized by Machiavelli Uzo, the Coordinator of Ohaozara Development Centre in the Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

It was gathered that the Coordinator alongside his thugs attacked Ibinabo on Saturday night with various weapons after which they locked him up in a room, but the police arrived at the scene and rescued the musician when he was almost at the point of comatose.

Narrating his ordeal, Ibinabo said he was booked by the Ohaozara local government area Chairman, Mr Consider Ajah, to perform at the burial event of his mother-in-law in the Local Government last week.

The musician said that when it was dusk, he ordered his crew to pack up and called it a day since it was already night.

“It was at that point that the Ohaozara Development Centre Coordinator, Machiaveli Uzo, emerged from nowhere and ordered me to play the campaign song of the APC governorship candidate in Ebonyi State,” Ibinabo added.

Ibinabo said he declined the request because he was done with his performance and the event he was invited to was not a political event. He alleged that the coordinator threatened to attack him if he did not comply.

“At that point, I had no choice and for the sake of peace, I picked up the microphone and started playing the song for him.

“After about 20 minutes, I dropped the microphone; but Mr Uzo again ordered me to pick up the microphone and play until he was satisfied.

“But I refused to sing and instead ordered my crew to pack up so we could leave the scene. At this point, the coordinator and his thugs descended on me, beating me with different weapons.

“After beating me to almost a comatose state, they whisked me into a room in the compound and locked me up.

“The police in Ohaozara later arrived, rescued me from the room and took me to the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, for treatment,” he added.

Ibinabo noted that the Chairman, Consider Ajah was not around when the incident happened as he had left for Abakaliki to attend a meeting.

He exonerated the Chairman from the incident adding that the Chairman has been good to him in the past.

“He was not aware of it and if he was aware it won’t have happened. He has been the one taking care of my hospital bills since that Saturday.

“He is always coming to the hospital to check up on me and ensure I get the best treatment. I have known him for a long time and can say it anywhere that he didn’t have anything to do with the attack”, Ibinabo said.

When contacted, the Coordinator denied attacking the musician whom he described as his friend. Uzo said he pleaded with the Ibinabo to sing a song for him which the artist agreed.

He said the musician asked the DJ to play the song and they all sang and danced along while he sprayed the musician and his band members with some money

“After that, we want inside the house and were making merry but after sometimes he(Ibinabo) said he wants to go outside and check something.

“The next thing I heard was a commotion with some people beating him and chasing him into the house. I was also surprised by the actions of his attackers like others inside”, he said.

Uzo while regretting the ordeal the artist went through, said he is working with security agencies and the Council Chairman to apprehend and prosecute perpetrators.

The Coordinator dismissed insinuations that he was out to tarnish the image of the Council Chairman.

He said he has no issues with the Chairman adding that they have a cordial relationship and are working together for the development of the council and state.

The Council Chairman, Ajah could not be reached for comments.

Ebonyi State police spokesperson, SP Chris Anyanwu, said he was not aware of the incident.

“I am yet to hear and receive details of this. Where did it happen? Who ordered him to sing the APC song? I will get across to the DPO of the area for details and give you detailed information. Please, calm down,” he said.

KanyiDaily had also reported how 22-year-old musician, Muhammed Law was remanded in prison for allegedly stealing a half bag of rice, laptops, and cell phones in Abuja.