Court Remands Three In Custody Over Murder

Three accused persons,  Kingsley Nathan 20, Godfrey Lawrence 18 and Ikechukwu Omololo, 21 standing trial before a Chief Magistrate Court presided over by E.C. Woke standing trial on a two count charge bordering on felony, to wit, murder have been remanded in prison custody pending the filing of information by the office of the Director of Public Prosecution.

The three accused persons and others now at large on 11th March, 2012 at Akani in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of the State allegedly  murdered one Esu Arugu.

The prosecuting Police Officer, Inspector Godwin Nwinam told the court the accused persons on the aforementioned date and place within the jurisdiction of Port Harcourt Magisterial District did conspire among themselves to commit felony, to wit: murder and allegedly killed one Esu Arugu.

According to the Police prosecution, the accused persons and others now at large committed an offence punishable under Section 324 and 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 11 laws of Rivers State 1999.

In his ruling, presiding magistrate; Chief Magistrate E. C. Woke ordered the accused persons should be remanded in  prison custody. He averred that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter based on the degree of the crime committed by the accused persons.

The chief magistrate however advised the accused persons to approach a High Court for their bail and directed the original case files of the accused persons to be forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. The case was adjourned to 5th July, 2012.