Four police officers linked to the killing of Chima Ikwunado and torture of four other Ikokwu mechanics in December 2019 have been dismissed from the service of the Nigerian Police Force.
The death of Ikwunado sparked outrage on social media which brought about the launch of #JusticeForChima and #Ikokwu4 on Twitter.
The accused persons have been remanded at the Port-Harcourt Correctional Centre till the next adjourned date.
The four officers, Ayogu Fidelis, Eke Chibuzor, Egbunefu Felix and Rose Georgewill (only female) 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 Promise Iroanya, in his ruling, after going through the charge, said his court lacks the power to hear the matter in counts one, two and three but has jurisdiction from counts four to seven.
He, therefore, directed that the case file be sent to the Department 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, for DPP’s legal advise.
Meanwhile, the accused persons, who allegedly tortured late Ikwunado to death in December 2019, and unlawfully inflicted various degrees of injuries on, Ifeanyi Onyekwere, Ogbonna Victor, Ifeanyi Osuji and Osaze Friday, have been dismissed from service by the Rivers State Police Command.
The officers went through the processes of Orderly Room Trials; they were on Monday, de-kitted and dismissed from the Force, hence their arraignment.
It would be recalled that the Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph G. Mukan, in his maiden press briefing on assumption of duty in the State, promised to address all cases of infractions and unprofessional conduct of the officers and men of the Command and to offer quality policing services to the state.
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