Three people have been remanded in custody by a Port Harcourt-based Rivers State High Court for their alleged involvement in the slaying of Chidi Onwukwe.
At his residence in the Elelenwo neighborhood of Port Harcourt, the late Chidi was brutally murdered in January.
The murderers of Chidi made off with his car, phones, and other belongings. They also allegedly stole some money from his account in addition to his car and other valuables.
Following the development, the state’s commissioner of police detained and charged Blessed Onyekachi Nathan, Samuel Onwukwe, Andrew Epai Otanye, Samuel Emmerson, Promise George, and Blessed Onyekachi Nathan with the charge number PHC/667/CR/2022.
Four of the suspects were charged when the case was brought before the court on March 2; however, those who were mentioned in the case were not present.
Essien Edit, the prosecution’s attorney, informed the court that the prosecution would use the revised charge submitted on July 13, 2022, in pursuing the murder case when the case was back in session yesterday.
When the four counts against the suspects—conspiracy to commit armed robbery, illegal possession of a firearm, felony to commit murder, and murder of Chidi Onwukwe—were read aloud in court, the suspects entered a not-guilty plea.
After the charges were read, Edit asked the court to remand the suspects to the Port Harcourt Correctional Center while the case was being heard because of their plea.
The three defendants’ attorney, BF John-Williams, made an oral bail request in response to the remand prayer.
The oral bail application was rejected by the trial judge, Justice Sylvester Popnen, who added that given the nature of the offense, it could not be upheld.
Popnen postponed their trial until December 15 and 16, 2022, and January 27, 2023, respectively, awaiting any bail requests.
