Four dismissed Police accused of Murder of Chima Ikwunado and torture of Ikokwu Four were arraigned, remanded in Prison

* Facing Seven Count of murder, Conspiracy to murder, torture among others. All pleaded not guilty to all counts.

* Ikokwu Four expressed disappointment that Commander E-Crack team, SP Benson Adetuyi and Inspector Amadi also fingered were not arraigned.

BY IBRAHIM BAKARE

There  was a wild jubilation today, Tuesday July,7 around  Port Harcourt Judiciary Complex after Magistrate Court, presided over by Chief  Magistrate Promise Iroanya,  remanded the four dismissed E-Crack Squad to Port Harcourt Correctional  centre after they were arraigned took their plea.

There was a watertight security manned by Officers and men of the State Command of Nigeria Police around the Court premises. The four dismissed Police are:Ayogu Fidelis, Eke Chibuzor, Egbunefu Felix and Rose Georgewill (the one who severaly alleged to have derived please in squeezing the late Chima’s penis threatened she would ensure that he would no be able to pregnant Women).

Dismissed Sergeant Rose Georgewill,(Left) another accused dismissed in handcuffed together.

Dismissed Policemen arraigned and remanded in Port Harcourt Correctional Centre.

Suspects stepping into Court premises

They are facing seven count charges of murder, conspiracy and attempted murder as well as flogging their victims with woods and matchete, unlawfully causing grievous harm and assault on the following persons: Ifeanyi Oyekwere, Ogbonna Victor, Ifeanyi Osuji and Osaze Friday. Also the murder of Late Chima Ikwunado on the 29 December 2019.  

Chief Magistrate Promise Iroanya after listening to the arguments of the lawyers on the jurisdiction of the Court to entertain the matter  ordered that the case file be transferred to the Department of Publication Prosecution,DPP, for legal advice since the court lacks jurisdiction to hear count 1, 2 and 3 leveled against the officers. 

Chief Magistrate Iroanya also  advised that the case file would be  be transferred immediately to the  DPP Rivers State Ministry of Justice for proper assignment adjourned the case to September 18,2020.

One of  the surviving Ikokwu Four complaining that Commander SP Benson Adetuyi and Inspector Amadi were not arraigned.

Meanwhile,  Princess Lawrence who held brief for the Ikokwu four victims of the torture of the dismissed Policemen expressed disappointment that two of the officers also alleged involved in were not among those arraigned. 

On his part, David Abouw,  Lawyer to the First and fourth defendants expressed regrets that his clients have suffered persecution in the hands of the media. 

Also,  Livingstone Weike, Lawyer to the third defendant said he hopes the office of the Director of Public Prosecution,DPP, will release the legal advice early to enable the trial start quickly. 

In the meantime the  Ikokwu four who were victims of the torture by the  dismissed Policemen are demanding the inclusion of the Commander of the E-Crack Squad, SP Benson Adetuyi, and one Inspector Amadi. 

Recall that yesterday the Rivers State Police Command issued a statement informing the public that the  policemen from the Eagle Crack Squad who allegedly tortured late Chima Ikwunado to death  and the Ikokwu Four had been dismissed from the force. Their dismissal followed the recommendations  and reports of the orderly room trial and CID of the River State command. spokesman of the Rivers State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni in the statement added that the dismissed policemen will be charged for conspiracy and murder among other charges.   

DSP Omoni said with the dismissal and  subsequent arraignment has shown that the  Command under the leadership of CP Joseph Mukan has zero tolerance for abuse of human rights and torture of any kind. 

He also appealed to the public to have confidence on the Police and continue to partner the force by providing useful information and constructive criticisms.

Meanwhile,there was a mild drama outside the Court premises where one of victims whose right hand has been disfigured rained curses to anyone who wants to pervert Justice by ensuring that the Commander, SP Benson Adetuyi who signed their detention and one Inspector Amadi who was among their torturers do not face Justice.