A court sitting in Port Harcourt on Tuesday adjourned the trial of the four dismissed officers of the Eagle crack team under the Nigeria Police Force accused of torturing automobile mechanic, Chima Ikwunado to death.
Trial judge, Justice Florence Fiberesima adjourned the matter to March 18, following the absence of the prosecution witness, Victor Ogbonna, who failed to appear in court.
The dismissed officers, including Ayogu Fidelis, Eke Chibuzor, Egbunefu Felix, and Rose Georgewill are currently standing trial for alleged torturing Chima to death while in detention with the other four Ikokwu mechanics.
The deceased and others had been arrested for allegedly driving against traffic in Port Harcourt in 2019.
While Chima was said to have been tortured to death, the others identified as Ifeanyi Onyekwere, Ifeanyi Osuji, Ogbonna Victor, and Osaze Friday were unlawfully inflicted with various degrees of injuries.
Though the officers had earlier denied the claims, autopsy results revealed that the latter had died from torture.
The suspects were, however, remanded to the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre and the case was transferred to the Department of Public Prosecution for legal advice.
