A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Port Harcourt, presided over by Chief Magistrate Promise Iroanya, on Tuesday, remanded four operatives of Eagle Crack squad of the Nigeria Police Force accused of involvement in the death of Chima Ikwunado and torture of four other Ikokwu mechanics.
Chief Magistrate Iroanya ordered that the accused persons, Ayogu Fidelis, Eke Chibuzor, Egbunefu Felix and Rose Georgewill (female) be kept in the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre for the alleged murder of Ikwunado and torture of four others.
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They are standing trial on seven-count charges bordering on conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, causing harm by hanging one of the victims upside-down and flogging him, and assault.
When the charges were read before the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty.
Chief Magistrate Iroanya, in his ruling, said his court lacked power to hear the matter in counts one, two and three, but had jurisdiction on counts four to seven.
He, therefore, directed that the case file be sent to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice and ordered for the remand of the accused persons in the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre.
The matter was adjourned till September 8, 2020.
Meanwhile, the accused persons have been dismissed from service by the Rivers State Police Command after Orderly Room trials.