A High court in Portharcourt on Wednesday, adjourned to February 16th, the murder case of Jumia delivery agent, Mr. Chukwuma Eleje.
Mr. Chukwuma was murdered in March 2017 along Ada-George area of Portharcourt city. He had visited the location to make a delivery and was reportedly killed by the duo of Sodienye and Excel. His lifeless body was later disposed into a septic tank.
The accused persons Sodienye Mbatumueke alias jelly and Excel Naabee alias Joker, are standing trial on a two count charge of Murder and Armed robbery.
UCHECHUKU REWARD AMADI, counsel to the first accused, Sodienye Mbatumueke, made an oral application of withdrawal from the case.
He stated that the person that contacted him ask him to withdraw due to threats to his life.
Recall that at the last adjourned date, counsel to the state, Director Department of public prosecution, IBIKIRI OTORIBIO also complained of threat to life of one of his witnesses. He also sort for the use of an electronic device in taking of evidence.
Mr. Amadi said : “I notified the court that I am withdrawing from the case because of threat to my life, coupled with the advice of my principal to withdraw from the case.
“The circumstance is beyond my control. Although, the trial judge is yet to rule on my withdrawer from the case”
The Presiding Judge, Justice I. P Chigozie Igwe, in his ruling said that the excuses brought by the counsels on threat to life are not cogent. He demanded that the counsels provide those threatening them. He added that failure of such, stands as contempt to court proceedings.
The judge further adjourned to 16th of February for motion on the hearing.
Counsel to the State and Director Department of public prosecution, IBIKIRI OTORIBIO, said the case cannot go on due to withdrawer of the defence counsel.
“The prosecuting counsel has filed all requirements to proceed into the matter and is waiting on the court ruling to grant the prosecuting counsel leave that will allow the witness to testify electronically”
