Murder Charge: Magistrate Demands IGP’s Letter To Continue Case In Onitsha

A Chief Magistrate in Onitsha, S.N Emejulu, has demanded a letter from the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, to continue hearing on murder charge against two defendants, Afam Obiekezie, (a.k.a. Kapuyaukwu) and Tochukwu Emmanuel.

Recall that the Magistrate’s absence on several occasions stalled hearing on the matter until Wednesday when the accused persons were arraigned.

When the case came up for hearing, the police presented a letter from Commissioner of Police legal department Abuja, advising that the matter be heard as earlier demanded by the magistrate that a letter from the police should be presented to show that the matter could go on.

After perusing the letter, the Magistrate indicated contradiction in the letter telling the police that you can not be talking of
commission of inquiry and at the same time asking the court to
continue with the trial.

The magistrate asked the police to go back and get a full assurance
from the IGP stating that t”here is no letter from the IGP on his table.”

He lamented that scores of people interested in the matter are
frustrating the police from doing her duty by pushing them up and
down.

He, however, adjourned the matter to 30th September 2020 for the letter and remand of the accused with form 12.

Attempt put up earlier to withdraw the murder charge against the
defendants by their counsel, Chiedozie Ogbueli, was stalled as the Presiding Magistrate returned them to police custody pending when the police will rectify the charges and rearraign them.

The Prosecuting Police Officer, Akwali Edmund, countered his bid to withdraw the matter adding that he was not aware of the letter the
defence counsel presented demanding for the withdrawal.

According to the charge, the two suspects and others now at large
stormed the office of their
opponents (plaintiff) in Onitsha, shot and killed one Akachukwu
Ezebuilo, while Nnamdi Obumse (plaintiff) was said to have sustained gunshot wound and machete cuts.