ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- About 19 men have been remanded in a Correctional Centre for allegedly killing a Police officer, Festus Akpan, and two others.
The accused persons are; Kenneth Agha (aka Mukoro), Azubuike Okoro, Okporie Oti, Egwu Chinedu, Chimeremeze Umeh, Oburu Orji, Uka Orji, Orji David, Aku Sunday, Oledi Philip, Onyemuche Uka, among others.
It was gathered that they had on 26 December, 2022, allegedly killed two civilians and an Inspector of Police at Ekoli Edda community, in the Afikpo South Local Government Area of the state.
Also, it was learnt that they allegedly burnt down two houses in the community.
The accused were arraigned before an Ebonyi State Magistrate Court, in Abakaliki, the state capital, on Tuesday, on offences bordering on felony, murder, arson, and unlawful possession of firearms, among others.
The Police prosecutor, ASP Chinagorom Eze, told the court that the offences were punishable under sections 516A (a), 42, 319(1), 443 of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009 and section 3 of the Robbery and Firearms Act, Cap R, 11, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as amended.
Meanwhile, the defendants were not represented in court and, therefore, no bail application was made on their behalf.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Ogodo, ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Abakaliki, while their case file should be transferred to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, for necessary legal advice.
She later adjourned the matter to 24 February, 2023, for a report of compliance.