By Kenneth Onuoha
Three accused persons were on Monday remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Abakaliki,for allegedly killing two police officers and burning down police stations in Ebonyi state.
The accused persons include; Ifeanyi Nwosu, ‘M’ 22; Ikechukwu Nwosu, ‘M’18; and Edwin Ebubechi, ‘M’19 who were remanded by a Magistrate Court, sitting in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital.
They were alleged to have killed Inspector Egwu Omini and P.C Paul Akpu, both males, by gunning them down, at the Central Police Station, Abakaliki metropolis.
They were equally accused of allegedly setting the Police station on fire, after killing the two officers and thereafter, looted their belongings at the station.
The accused persons were arraigned on four count charges bordering on felony, murder, arson and armed robbery, before the Magistrate Court.
365DAILY gathered that about five other accused persons whose names are yet to be identified, were equally arraigned and remanded for allegedly burning down police stations and other offences, in the state.
It was learnt that they stole one motorcycle, generator, Plasma TV and other valuables belonging to the occupants of a building located close to the burnt police station.
The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Chinedu Mbam, told the court that the offence was punishable under sections 324, 319(1), 443(a) and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
The charge reads in part, “That you Ifeanyi Nwosu ‘m’, Ikechukwu Nwosu ‘m’, Edwin Ebubechi ‘m’ and others now at large, on the 26th day of October, 2020, at the Central Police Station Headquarters, Abakaliki, in the Abakaliki Magisterial District did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit; murder and arson and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 324 of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
“That you Ifeanyi Nwosu ‘m’, Ikechukwu Nwosu ‘m’, Edwin Ebubechi ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date and place and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did unlawfully murdered Inspector Egwu Omini ‘m’ and PC Paul Akpu ‘m’ by shooting them to death and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
“That you Ifeanyi Nwosu ‘m’, Ikechukwu Nwosu ‘m’, Edwin Ebubechi ‘m’and others now at large on the same date and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did unlawfully set the Central Police Station, Abakaliki, ablaze and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 443(a) of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.”
The Defence Counsel, Chike Obi (Esq), did not apply for the bail of his clients.
He rather requested that the court should transfer the case file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in the state for necessary legal action.
Consequently, the Prosecuting Counsel, led by Mbam accepted the Defense Counsel’s request that the accused persons’ case file should be transferred to the DPP, but urged the court to remand them pending when the DPP’s advice will reach it.
In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs B. I. Chukwu, directed that the accused persons be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Abakaliki, and their case files transferred to the DPP, for necessary advise
The case was adjourned till November 26, 2020, for report of compliance.