By Florence Uwaeme
A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, has ordered the remand of the commander of a vigilance group in the Rundele community in the Emuoha Local Government Area of the state, to a correctional centre in the state.
The vigilance leader, Niece Ajuru was arrainged by the Rivers State Police Command on Monday on three counts bordering on illegal possession of a firearm, arson and murder.
It was gathered that Ajuru, the commander of the Onelgha Security Peace Advisory Committee in Rundele, Emuoha LGA, was arrested in Aluu, outskirts of Port Harcourt, in possession of one AK-47 rifle, with 23 rounds of live ammunition, a police cap and police identity card, as well as charms.
The state Commissioner of Police, Emeka Nwonyi, while parading Ajuru before newsmen on June 26, 2023, said the suspect confessed to having engaged the Army in Ndele, Emuoha LGA, where two soldiers were killed.
Nwonyi also said Ajuru had expressed readiness to disclose all necessary information which would assist the police in its investigations.
When the case was mentioned in court, the suspect could not take his plea as the presiding Chief Magistrate, Amadi Nna, declined to hear the matter for lack of jurisdiction.
Chief Magistrate Nna sighted a section of the Firearm Act and Criminal Code of the state and then directed that the case file be transmitted to the Department of Public Prosecution for advice, adding that the accused could seek his bail at the state High Court.
He, however, ordered the accused to be remanded in the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre.
