The Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA) has condemned the alleged murder of 37-year-old Nigerian, Mr Julius Chukwunta, by four South Africans.

Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on December 7, 2024, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

NICASA President-General Dr Frank Onyekwelu, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, said Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

According to him, after attempting to pass through, he was met with resistance, prompting him to seek help at the security office.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu confirmed that the case, reported by Chukwunta’s partner, had been registered at the Midrand police station under file number 262/12/2024.

He said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu expressed disappointment at the proceedings and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.

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The General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor Williams Kumuyi, has expressed concern over Christians’ low participation in active politics.

He submitted that they have no right to complain over policy direction if they fail to make themselves available for nation-building.

The General Superintendent stated this during a press briefing to herald the ministry’s annual retreat, tagged; ‘Power for present possession’ and the ‘Global Crusade with Kumuyi’ slated to commence today, at the campground in Ogun State.

He said, “So, if the Christians don’t take part in politics, first off, it means that this side alone without any Christian, will determine the direction we go and will determine what the country becomes.

“And the Christians have no right to complain if they are not available to make things better,” he said.

He urged elected leaders across various helms to consider the plights of the citizens, saying they were entrusted with the responsibilities to bring out the dividend of democracy.

“We all see the condition and what is going on. Our leaders are elected leaders, whether we are thinking of the local government, state and whole nation, or the federal government.”

Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, has faulted the pushback by the 19 northern governors against the tax reform bills introduced by President Bola Tinubu.

“As far as I am concerned, that tax bill must go on,” the nonagenarian said on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.

The new tax bills introduced by the Tinubu administration have been enveloped in widespread controversy and sparked scathing criticisms and stiff opposition from many including the 36 state governors under the aegis of the National Economic Council (NEC).

The 19 governors in northern Nigeria have also unequivocally rejected sections of the bills and called for the withdrawal of the bills from the National Assembly.

Clark, the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), faulted the stance of the northern governors after NEC took a position.

“I was so shocked when I learned that the 19 governors of the north have met again. If 36 of you met, why are you meeting again? The northern governors, most of them, don’t realise what they are doing. So, the double standards, this arrogance of power must stop,” he said.

The PANDEF leader said the President needs wisdom to govern Nigeria “because certain individuals want to run this country as their own country. When they decide to share, they must ask where the money they are sharing comes from. So, you must pay tax”.

Clark also expressed displeasure over the stance of NEC on the tax bills, saying the governors and Vice President Kashim Shettima are turning the council into an executive body.

He said, “I was shocked when the 36 governors under the chairmanship of the vice president discussed that Mr President should set aside the bill for further consultation. Not only that, the 19 northern governors came together and met but they should ask themselves what have we gained for dividing Nigeria. 19 governors, 17 governors, Today you have Progressive Governors, PDP Governors. These are not helping Nigeria.

“That body (NEC) is a constitutional body set up by the constitution of Nigeria as an advisory council under the chairmanship of Mr Vice President should meet with all the governors attending but today the governors have converted that council to an executive body. They have now gone into politics.

“The question is who are they going to consult? How many times have they consulted their people? They don’t stay at home. They are always in Abuja thinking that they will get more money.”

Clark said Nigeria does not belong to the President and he should stop appointing his allies as ministers.

“I think the leadership should embrace everybody in this country…But today, you look for all your friends, whether they are competent, whether they are honest; it’s wrong.

“Nigeria does not belong to Mr President; Nigeria belongs to everybody. Every Nigerian is equal. And unless we believe that every Nigerian can rise to the top of the position, otherwise there will be no Nigeria, the problems will be there,” he said.