FG charges suspected killers of Imo monarch

The Federal Government on Tuesday charged four suspected terrorists who allegedly kidnapped and killed the traditional ruler of Amanze Obowo Autonomous Community of Imo, Eze Basil Njoku. for a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) arraigned them before Judge Binta Nyako on five amended charges.

The AGF Through his counsel, David Kaswe, relied on sections 174 of the 1999 Constitution and 105 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 to take charge of the terrorism charges.

The four suspects, Jude Iheme, Chika Madukwe, Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke, were accused of assassinating the monarch on December 17, 2022, while at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, after kidnapping and collecting a ransom of N4 million cash from his family.

In the indictment marked FHC/ABJ/CR/575/2024, the defendants alongside others said they attended big allegedly conspired to commit a crime Unpleasant acts of terrorism contrary to section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.

They also allegedly armed themselves with guns and assault weapons and attacked, kidnapped and killed the traditional ruler on December 17, 2022.

The government also accused them of failing to make information available to security services which could have led to the arrest of other kidnappers, contrary to Article 16 of the same Terrorism Act.

When the indictment was read to them before Judge Binta Nyakothey pleaded not guilty.

Lead counsel for the defendants, Solomon Akume (SAN) had tried to move the bail application for his clientsIt used to be However the prosecutor was opposed on the grounds that he had to respond to certain issues.

Judge Nyako set June 20 for hearing of applications and commencement of trial.

The judge has ordered the suspects are returned at the Kuje Correctional Center pending the hearing and decision of their respective bail applications.

Iheme, 52, of Amagwu Amanze Obowo Local Government Area of ​​Imo, and Madukwe, 42, of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo Local Government Area, also of Imo, were said to have killed the traditional ruler on December 17, 2022.