Justice Azuka

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Justice Azuka (died February 2025) was a Nigerian politician who was a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly representing Onitsha North 1 Constituency before his death. [1]

Before his death, the 40 year old legislator was a Labour Party cheiftain who reclaimed his mandate after a court ruling nulified the victory of Douglas Egbuna of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election [2]

Azuka was kidnapped on 24 December 2024, along Ugwunaobankpa Road in Inland Town, Onitsha, while he was on his way home for Christmas. [3] His body was discovered near the Second Niger Bridge on 6 February 2025. [4]

He was laid to rest in his home town Ogbeoza Village, Onitsha. [5] A burial mass was held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Inland Town, Onitsha, presided over by Rev. Fr Prudentius Aroh, who represented Archbishop Valerian Okeke. Delivering the homily, Rev. Fr. John Bosco Okafor, Episcopal Vicar of the Onitsha Region, lamented the decline in the sanctity of the human life. [6]

Azuka was the second Anambra lawmaker to be kidnapped and killed after Okechukwu Okoye in 2022. [7]

References

  1. Nwafor (6 February 2025). "Onitsha community, Acheb mourn as kidnapped lawmaker, Azuka, found dead". Vanguard News. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  2. Obianeri, Ikenna (11 February 2025). "Slain Anambra lawmaker, Justice Azuka, for burial February 15". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  3. Obianeri, Ikenna (6 February 2025). "Kidnapped Anambra lawmaker found dead near Niger Bridge". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  4. Obianeri, Ikenna (7 February 2025). "Decomposing body of abducted Anambra lawmaker found on Second Niger Bridge". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  5. Tokunbo (15 February 2025). "Tears as slain Anambra lawmaker Justice Azuka is laid to rest". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  6. Nwafor (16 February 2025). "How slain Anambra lawmaker, Justice Azuka, was laid to rest in Onitsha". Vanguard News. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  7. Egobiambu, Emmanuel (6 February 2025). "Kidnapped Anambra Lawmaker Justice Azuka Found Dead". Channels Television. Retrieved 16 February 2025.