By EGUONOR IGHURE

The five police operatives detained in connection with the alleged shooting to death of Delta-born musician and delivery worker, Oghenemine Ogidi, 28, were on Monday arraigned before a state High Court 5, sitting in Asaba.

‎The case, filed under Suit No. THC/ASB/CR/M/66C/2026, came before Justice Marshal Onome Umukoro.

‎The defendants include ASP Usman Nuhu (42), ASP Onoloko Dauroupamo (47), ASP Okoh Kelechi (46), Inspector Goodluck Kingsley (42), and Inspector Omonigho Ahweyevu (41).

‎The officers were ordered to be remanded at the Ogwashi-Uku Correctional Centre, pending further proceedings in the matter.

‎The court adjourned the case to June 15 for fresh arraignment, following a request for legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

‎Newsmen were, however, barred from entering the courtroom during the arraignment.

‎Speaking with newsmen after the adjournment, human rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, described the appearance of the officers in court as “a positive step towards justice”.

Gwamnishu‎ said the court ordered that the suspects remain in custody, pending legal advice from the DPP.

‎“Today, they finally produced the officers in court, including the principal suspect and others.

“The judge ordered that they remain in custody while the DPP reviews the case,” he said.

‎Gwamnishu expressed the hope that the legal processes would move quickly to enable the full trial to commence.

According to him, the family has alleged that it had not been shown the autopsy report or formally briefed on investigations.

He also claimed that there were attempts to restrict public observation of the proceedings.

‎Gwamnishu further disclosed that future hearings may be conducted virtually, with the suspects appearing from the correctional facility, while proceedings would be “followed remotely” in court.

‎Also speaking, the deceased’s cousin, Alex Emuobor, said the family was not adequately informed about the court sitting and only got details through unofficial sources.

Emuobor‎ said: ‎“We were advised to contact the Commissioner of Police, but later got information from activists that the case would be heard today.

“We rushed down to Asaba immediately.”

He further said the family arrived at the court after proceedings had ended, leaving them frustrated.

‎He appealed to the state Ministry of Justice and other relevant authorities to ensure timely communication with the family on the matter, going forward.

‎“Our only request is to be carried along. We want to know what is happening in the case of our late brother,” he said.

‎Similarly, the elder brother to the deceased, Victory Ogidi, also complained about t lack of communication from the authorities handling the case.

‎He said the family had been relying on social media and third-party information, instead of official updates.

‎“We lost our brother, and we should not be relying on social media to know what is happening in a case that concerns us directly,” he said.

‎Victory urged the state Attorney-General, Ministry of Justice, and the Nigeria Police to ensure transparency and regular updates to the family.

He said that the family was not asking for special treatment, but only to be properly briefed and involved in the process.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the case arose from the alleged extra-judicial killing of the youthful musician, popularly called OG Millan, on April 26, in Effurun, Delta.‎

‎He was reportedly intercepted by police operatives, while allegedly attempting to waybill a package said to contain a firearm and ammunition.

The incident later sparked off public outrage after a viral video on his alleged shooting to death emerged online.

‎The matter has continued to draw attention from rights’ groups, family members, and members of the public, who are demanding justice in the case. (Text, excluding headline: NAN)