19 suspects have been remanded in a Correctional facility, by a Magistrate’s Court, sitting in Abakaliki, for allegedly killing an Inspector of Police, Festus Akpan and two others in Ebonyi State.
Nigeriacrime.com learned that, on December 26, 2023, the accused persons, namely Kenneth Agha (aka Mukoro); Azubuike Okoro; Okporie Oti; Egwu Chinedu; Chimeremeze Umeh; Oburu Orji; Uka Orji; Orji David; Aku Sunday; Oledi Philip; Onyemuche Uka, among others, had allegedly killed two civilians and an Inspector of Police at Ekoli Edda community, in the Afikpo South Local Government Area of the state.
It was also gathered that they allegedly burnt down two houses in the community.
They were arraigned before the Magistrate Court on offences bordering on felony, murder, arson, and unlawful possession of firearms, among others.
The police prosecutor, ASP Chinagorom Eze, told the court that the offences were punishable under sections 516A (a), 42, 319(1), 443 of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009 and section 3 of the Robbery and Firearms Act, Cap R, 11, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as amended.
The defendants were not represented in court and, therefore, no bail application was made on their behalf.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Ogodo, ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Abakaliki, while their case file should be transferred to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, for necessary legal advice.
She adjourned the matter to February 24, 2023, for a report of compliance.
It will be recalled that after the end Sars protest across the country, policemen have become endangered species. They have become recipients of provoked and unprovoked attacks.
For many years, it has been classified as the most corrupt and inefficient security agency in Nigeria. It is one security agency that has suffered many years of neglect at the hands of the various governments, military and civilian. A visit to army, naval, and airforce barracks and formations in comparison with the police barracks and colleges will underscore and confirm this position.