Nigerian Monarch, Four Others Remanded for Murder of Two Policemen

A Magistrate Court in Enugu, Nigeria, has ordered the remand of the traditional ruler of Igga community, Igwe Herbert Ukuta, and four others in prison for their alleged involvement in the murder of two policemen and membership of a terrorist organization.

The defendants, including a former councillor, Festus Okonkwa, Ofadile Titus Henry, Sunday Ugwu, and Obinna Ayogu, were arraigned on a 10-count charge by the Enugu State Police Command.

The charges include conspiracy, membership of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its security wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), and murder.

The police alleged that the defendants committed the offences on May 3, 2024, along Adarice Farm Road, Adarice in Uzo-Uwani Magisterial District, Enugu.

The charges read in part: “That you HRM Igwe Herbert Ukuta, Festus Okonkwa, Ofadile Titus Henry, Sunday Ugwu, Obinna Ayogu, and others now at large on May 3, 2024, at about 1315 hours along Adarice Farm Road, Adarice in Uzo-Uwani Magisterial District, Enugu, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony, to wit: membership of a terrorist group, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 26(1) and punishable under Section 25(3) and Section 18 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.”

The defendants were also accused of recruiting others into the proscribed IPOB/ESN and concealing their activities.

The police alleged that they unlawfully killed five persons, including two policemen, Police Inspector Nwoga Cornellus and Police Constable Ikowa Anthony, as well as Emegoni Aloysius, Adada Joshua, and Eze Fidelis.

The defendants did not enter a plea, as the magistrate court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case, which was brought under the Federal Act.

The court ordered their remand at Enugu Maximum Correctional Centre.

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