ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Edo State Police Command has arraigned a senior lecturer at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Dr. Nwoke Onyebuchi, and four others on charges including murder, kidnapping and armed robbery following a protest against rising abductions in the town.
The defendants were charged before the Edo State High Court in Ubiaja on February 2 on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping and murder. They pleaded not guilty.
According to court filings, the police alleged that the accused persons conspired to promote armed attacks and carried out acts described as a “warlike undertaking” against the Onojie and residents of Ekpoma. They were also accused of aiding robbery and kidnapping, as well as the alleged murder of unnamed victims.
After their arraignment, trial judge Rita Irele-Ifijeh granted them bail with conditions requiring sureties resident in Benin City. The defendants met the bail terms and were released the same day.
When the matter came up again before Justice Ikwuemosi Dika, the earlier bail was upheld, while the case was adjourned to allow the police seek advice from the Director of Public Prosecution on whether to proceed.
Dr. Onyebuchi, who was arrested on January 26, maintained that he merely joined a peaceful protest on January 10 while jogging near the town’s Market Square.
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He said the demonstration was organised to protest repeated kidnappings in Ekpoma, including the abduction of a medical doctor and his brother earlier in January.
“I only lent my voice against kidnapping,” he said, insisting there was no violence during the protest he attended.
He further alleged that he was detained for more than a week before being taken to court and that the arrest disrupted his academic and medical duties.
The lecturer has filed a separate suit before the High Court in Benin City, seeking enforcement of his fundamental rights.
In the application, he is asking the court to declare his arrest and detention unlawful and to restrain the police from further harassment. He is also seeking damages for alleged rights violations.
The respondents in the suit include the Edo State Commissioner of Police, the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Robbery Unit, and the Nigeria Police Force.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the Edo State Police Command were unsuccessful as of press time.
The case is pending before the Benin Judicial Division of the High Court.