Abia govt re-arraign four men for alleged murder of two brothers
Aba, Jan. 27, 2022
By Ijendu Iheaka
Abia government on Thursday re-arraigned four young men on an amended five count charge bothering on the murder of two brothers at Osisioma Local Government Area in Aba.
The defendants, Chigozie Ikeokwu, Amanna Temple, Chukwuebuka Nnamani and Godwin Chimezie were re-arraigned at High Court III, Osisioma, Aba, before Justice Teddy Eruba.
The quadruple allegedly strangled Bright Osuagwu (9) and his brother Sopuruchi Osuagwu (7) to death on April 2, 2021 at their house in Abayi-Ogbuligba in Osisioma while their parents were away.
The charges read that these four men conspired to commit murder, and also committed murder of Bright and of Sopuruchi, to which charges the four defendants pleaded not guilty.
The fourth and fifth charges which excluded the 4th defendant, Godwin Chimezie, read that the other three defendants conspired to commit robbery and also committed robbery.
The state said that they stole 1 Plasma Television set, 1 bottle of Andrea wine, half tin of Kerrygold milk, half loaf of bread, a bunch of keys, a ring, a Polo shirt, a scarf, a hotel key, and 7 boxes of matches.
To these two charges, the first three defendants, Chigozie Ikeokwu, Amanna Temple, and Chukwuebuka Nnamani, also pleaded not guilty.
The state said the defendants contravened Section 516 (A) of the Criminal Code Cap 80 Vol. 3, Laws of Abia state 2005, Section 319, (1) of the Criminal Code Laws Cap, 80, Vol 3, laws of Abia state 2005 and Section 1 (1) of the Robbery and Fire Arms (Special Provisions) Act Cap R 11 Vol, Laws of the Federation 2004.
After taking their plea which was read to them in Igbo language in suit number HOS /25C/2021, the fourth defendants’s lawyer, Chidi Nwachukwu asked for accelerated hearing of the case.
Justice Eruba asked the Prosecution Counsel, Uloaku Nwogu if her Witnesses were ready and she said she has more than five of them and confirmed that four are ready to testify.
Eruba then urged the counsels to agree on two court days for the witnesses who would take the stand two in one day and report to the court.
After the defendants’ counsels had agreed on a date which they communicated to the Judge, he adjourned the case to Tuesday, March 8 and 15 for the testimony of the prosecution witnesses. .
The Judge said that the Prosecution would within the two days open and close their case to enable further proceedings for accelerated hearing.
