By WANDOO SOMBO

The absence of the Attorney-General of the Federation, (AGF) in court on Monday, stalled the arraignment of four suspects alleged to have kidnapped and killed the traditional ruler of Amanze-Obowo autonomous community in Imo, Mr Basil Njoku.

When the matter was called, the four suspects and their counsel were present in court but there was no representation from the office of the AGF who had on the last adjourned date, announced that he was taking over prosecution of the case.

The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako then shifted hearing in the matter until noon but there was still no representation by the AGF or his representative.

The situation prompted the judge to invite the lawyers of the defendants into her chambers.

She then adjourned the matter until April 30 and ordered that fresh hearing notice be served on the AGF.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the lead counsel to the suspects, Mr Solomon Akuma, SAN had applied that the case be dismissed, but the judge opted to give the AGF another chance to lead a diligent prosecution.

The four suspects are Jude Iheme, Chika Madukwe, Nwokorie Ejike and Victor Obumneke.

The three counts earlier slammed against them had been increased to five in an amended charge.

NAN reports that on the last adjourned date, the AGF represented by Mr David Kaswe had taken over prosecution of the case from the Inspector- General of Police who initially filed the charge.

Kaswe told the judge that the AGF invoked Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 105 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) to take over trial of the case.

NAN reports that Iheme, 52 years old of Amagwu Amanze Obowo Local Government Area of Imo and Madukwe, 42 years old of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo Local government Area also of Imo, were said to have killed the traditional ruler on Dec.17, 2022.

The suspects were accused of killing the monarch while he was coming from the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, after kidnapping and collecting a ransom of N4 million from his family.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/575/2024, Iheme and Madukwe alongside others said to be at large were said to have conspired to commit felony to wit, acts of terrorism contrary to Section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.

The other suspects were accused of failing to volunteer information at their disposal to security agencies which could have led to the apprehension of other kidnappers contrary to Section 16 of the same Terrorism Act.

The charge read In part; “That you Nwokorie Ejike, 45 years ago and Victor Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical Squad, Abuja during the police investigation of the offence of kidnapping and terrorism of Eze, Basil Njoku conspired and brought false accusations with intent to cause Nwigwe Williams to be charged with kidnapping and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku.

“You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 125 of the Criminal Code Act.

“That you Nwokorie Ejike, 45 years and Victor Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical Squad, Abuja with intent to mislead the police investigators in the case of kidnap and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you gave false information to the investigators that a drunk man informed you that Nwigwe Williams is responsible for the kidnap and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku knowing or having reason to know that information you gave to police investigators is false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act 2004.

“That you Nwokorie Ejike, 45 years ago and Victor Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical Squad, Abuja during the police investigation of offence of kidnapping and terrorism of Eze, Basil Njoku conspired and brought false accusations with intent to cause Nwigwe Emeka Williams to be charged with kidnapping and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act.” (NAN)

Update news