Court Remands Minor, Others For Murder

A sixteen year-old-
age, Stanley Douglas and a middle aged GodGift Imaama (20) have been remanded in various prison custodies by a Port Harcourt Chief Magistrate Court for an alleged murder case with charge sheet No PMC/979/2014.
The accused persons, Stanley Douglas, 16, and Godgift Imaama, 20 are standing trial on two court charge of murder and conspiracy before Ipalibo F. Iyiabo.
The police prosecuting officer told the court that the accused persons, Stanley Douglas, Gift Imaama and others now at large on the 18th day of March, 2014 in Ogu-River, Okrika in the Port Harcourt Magisterial District did conspired among themselves to commit felony to wit: murder.
The police prosecutor further told the court that the accused persons and others now at large on the same date and place in the afore said Magisterial District did unlawfully killed Ibarakubara F. Edward by giving him a machete cut on his head, stomach and thrown him into the River.
The prosecutor averred that the accused persons committed an offence punishable under Section 324 and 319(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol ll, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.
The charge was read to the accused persons by the clerk but was not allowed to take plea on them. Ruling on the matter, the Presiding Chief Magistrate, I. F. Iyiabo declined jurisdiction on the matter on the ground that the court lacks the power to try the matter based on the charge brough against the accused persons.
Chief Magistrate Iyiabo ordered that the minor, Stanley Douglas be remanded in children prison, while the other accused person be remanded in Federal Prison Custody.
He further directed that the original case file be forwarded to the office of DPP for legal advice later adjourned the case to 24/7/2014 for mention.

A cross-section of judges at the valedictory court session in honour of Justice Christopher Chukwuma-Eneh at the Supreme Court in Abuja recently.