… Face Conpspiracy,Murder Charges
The officers involved in the alleged torture of five Ikoku mechanics leading to death of one of the mechanics, Chima Ikwunado, were brought to court on Tuesday.
They were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Promise Iroanya of Port-Harcourt Chief Magistrate court.
The dismissed officers Dayogu Fidelis, Eke Chibuzo, Egbunafu Felix and Rose Georgewill were arraigned on a seven-count charge.
The counts border on conspiracy and murder and attempted murder. Counts one to three border on conspiracy and murder while counts four to seven border on attempted murder.
The presiding chief magistrate in his ruling said the case file should be transferred to Director of Public Prosecutions and ordered that the suspects be remanded in custody and then adjourned the case to 19 September.
Speaking to reporters, lawyer to family of late Ikwunado, Princess Lawrence, complained only four defendants were in court when total number of defendants was more than four saying her team would ask “for full justice to be done” in the case by ensuring that all those involved were tried.
Although the four defendants were in court Commander of the Eagle Crack Team allegedly responsible for the brutal torture of the five Ikoku mechanics was not in court for the proceedings.
The four victims Ifeanyi Onyekwere, Osaze Friday, Victor Ogbonna and the fourth were in court for the proceedings.
Speaking to reporters, Ifeanyi Onyekwere who was visibly angry said that perpetrators of the act would not go scot-free.
Another victim Osaze Friday said they were happy the matter was moving forward and expressed hope that justice would be done in the case.
Counsel for the prosecution was in court for proceedings.
Defendants in the case were whisked away in police van after hearing amidst commotion as friends and family of victims expressed anger at the court premises.
Late Chima Ikwunado and four other mechanics were arrested late last year by Eagle Crack team for allegedly driving against traffic but were later charged with armed robbery and cultism.
They were allegedly tortured by Eagle Crack team at Mile One police station leading to the death of Ikwunado and led to outrage on social media as people called for justice over the case.
The accused however pleaded not guilty.
Meanwhile Police spokesperson in Rivers State, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said in a release on Monday that the affected officers who went through “processes of Orderly Room Trials were dekitted and dismissed from the force, hence their arraignment.”
He said: “Recall that the Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Mukan, in his maiden press briefing on assumption of duty in the state, promised to address all cases of infractions and unprofessional conduct of the Officers and men of the Command, and to offer quality policing services to the state”.
The police image-maker said the dismissal of the officers was an “eloquent demonstration of his (CP’s) transparency and avowed commitment to entrench discipline in the Command” and appealed to members of the public to remain steadfast and continue to have faith in the police by providing useful information.
