Pandemonium and fear pervaded an Umuahia High Court room yesterday when a convicted killer cop refused to be handcuffed and led away by security officials but sternly warned everyone around to keep off from him.

Cursing and threatening brimstone, Corporal Umaru Mohammed, who was sentenced to death by hanging for killing a fellow policeman, attempted to snatch a gun from one of the security operatives in court, thereby causing a stir in the courtroom.

However, the recalcitrant former police officer was overpowered by other security officials who eventually subdued him, handcuffed and led him away.

Mohammed was reacting to a judgment delivered by Justice Agwu Umah Kalu, who held that Mohammed should die by hanging on the neck for killing Corporal Clement Amaechi.

The incident took place on July 19, 2011 at 19B Okpara Avenue, Umuahia, the official quarters of the duo who were then attached to Abia State Government House Security Department.

Through the window, Mohammed was said to have fired several shots at Amaechi who was watching a movie at about midnight that fateful day.

After killing his colleague, Mohammed reportedly went berserk, shooting sporadically but was later disarmed by other Government House security operatives who shot and wounded him while he was about to change the magazine of his gun after exhausting the one he was using.

Mohammed was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, where he was treated and discharged before he faced orderly room trial.

Delivering judgment on the matter, Justice Kalu said that the prosecution proved beyond doubt that the gunshots fired by the accused person at close range killed the deceased.

Justice Kalu maintained that the offence is punishable under Section 319, Cap 1 of the Criminal Code applicable to Abia State. He ruled that the accused deserves no sympathy and ordered that he should be hanged by the neck until he is pronounced dead.

•Photo: Entrance of Abia State Government House where Mohammed and his victim worked.

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