Tina Amanda
Rivers State Police Command has arraigned four dismissed Eagle crack Officers involved in the murder of Late Ikoku mechanic, Chima Ikwunador, and torture of the Ikokwu four, before a Magistrate Court sitting Port Harcourt.
The four Defendants, Ayogu Fidelis, Eke Chibuzor, Egbunefu Felix and Rose Georgewill are facing a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, attempted murder and unlawful assault of late Chima Ikwunador and the Ikokwu four.
The charges are punishable offence under section 324, 319, 320, 335, 351 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 2, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.
Taking their plea before Chief Magistrate Promise Iroanya, the four Defendants pleaded not guilty to the count charge read to them.
During the court proceeding, Claimant Counsel, Princess Lawrence, notified the court of the absence of Benson Adetuyi, the E-crack Commander and Inspector Sam, who were supposed to be among the arraigned Police Officers.
The Prosecution Counsel, Romeo Queensoap told the court that after a thorough investigation by the Police, it was discovered the four Officers arraigned were the ones directly involved in the murder.
The Chief Magistrate, however, advised the claimant Counsel and Prosecution to liaise and ensure they bring the total accused persons in the matter to court.
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Promise Iroanya ruled that the court does not have jurisdiction to trial count one to three of the criminal offences as they require a higher court of jurisdiction.
Chief Magistrate Iroanya also ruled that the court has jurisdiction to hear count four to Seven, but will not do so as there is a capital offence attached to the charge.
He also referred the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice.
The Chief Magistrate adjourned the case to 18th September and remanded the four accused in prison custody.
In an interview with our correspondent Tina Amanda, Counsel to the Claimant, Princess Lawrence, said the Prosecution should do the needful to ensure the two remaining Police Officers are brought to court.
“We are not happy and satisfied to see four Defendants brought to court, they are more than four, we want all the total number of Defendants arraigned in court. After now, our team will go back and possibly bring up another letter and ask for full Justice to be done by bringing also those that are supposed to face trial”
Chima Ikwunado was arrested by the police unit on December 19, 2019, for a minor traffic offence and was tortured to death by the officers, while his friends were detained at the Port Harcourt prison.
Revelation by a journalist that the mechanic might have been killed by the notorious police unit sparked widespread protests in Port Harcourt leading to a lengthy call for the prosecution of the officers.
