Tina Amanda
A Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt has remanded 44-year-old Evangelist Celene Nwakwo and 33-year-old Faith Ugochukwu in Police custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department, for alleged conspiracy and murder of Mrs Nmaku Okere Iregbu.
The two suspects arraigned were accused for administering Dazipan and Norvas injection on the deceased, on 12th April, 2020, which led to her death at God’s Dwelling Clinic and Maternity, Sonlife Avenue, Egbelu, Ozodo, in Obio Akpor local government area of the state.
The Ist Defendant, Evangelist Celene Nwakwo, told the court that she runs a prayer ministry (Church) were the deceased came looking for the fruit of the womb, and during one of the prayer ministration that late Mrs Iregbu attended, she started complaining about her waist and was taking to the 2nd Defendant Clinic were she was registered for her antenatal.
2nd Defendant Faith Ugochukwu told the court that the Blood Pressure of late Mrs Iregbu was reading 260 as of the time she was brought in to the clinic and almost unconscious, and was administered Dazipan and Norvas drugs for pregnant women in her condition, stressing that the deceased condition did not improve, and as at the next day, she was moved out of the clinic to a hospital.
The suspects face two-count charge of conspiracy and murder under section 516A (1) and section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol II, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.
Chief Magistrate I.F Iyiabo, ruled that the court has no jurisdiction to try the matter as it is a capital offence, and referred the matter to Director of Public Prosecution.
The Chief Magistrate however remanded the suspects in Police custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department, and the matter was adjourned to 26th May for DPP advice.
Counsel to the Defendants, Jerome Okere, said the Defence is arguing that the facts of the case does not reflect the charge.
“Even from the evidence given by the Prosecution including the Police Investigating Officer does not show case of murder. We are saying that the facts of the case is not in consonance with the charge.
“If you bring a charge before a Chief Magistrate and the fact of the case does not reflect the charge, the Magistrate has power to direct that the charge be amended or new charges be brought. That was my argument but the Chief Magistrate declined jurisdiction and said we should approach the High Court”
On her part, Police Prosecuting Counsel, SP Gladys Imegu, said the suspects are being Prosecuted for operating illegal maternity home which they don’t have right to.
