Court Remands Man For Alleged Murder

A 19 year old man, Kingsley Chidiebere Wobo alias (Eleme) one of the accused persons in the killing of a traditional ruler and Ochimba of Nihi Community in Etche Local Government Area, Rivers State, Late Eze Benson Nworgu has been arraigned before a Port Harcourt Chief Magistrate Court for murder.

The accused person, Kingsley Chidiebere Wobo alias (Eleme), 19, is standing trial on a two court charge bordering on felony and murder charges before a Chief Magistrate Court presided over by E.C. Woke.

The prosecuting Police Officer, Inspector Godwin Winam told the court that the accused person Kingsley Chidiebere Wobo alias Eleme and  others now at large on the 25th of October, 2011 within the jurisdiction of Port Harcourt magisterial district at Three Brothers drinking joint Nihi Etche allegedly murder one Chief Benson Nworgu the Ochimba of Nihi Community.

The police prosecuting officer further told the court that the accused person committed an offence punishable under section 516A(9) and 319 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 laws of Rivers State of Nigeria.

The accused person did not take any plea on the charges brought against him.

Ruling on the matter, the presiding Chief Magistrate, E.C Woke declared that the court lacks the jurisdiction to grant the accused person bail based on the gravity of the offence before the court.

The chief magistrate while remanding the accused person to prison custody directed the case file to be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice on the matter.

He, however, advised the accused person to approach the high court for bail, adding that it is only the high court that has jurisdiction to grant him bail. The case was later adjourned to 27/7/2012 for hearing.