An Anambra State High Court sitting in Ihiala under Justice R.O Onunkwo, Friday, October 19, arraigned two brothers, Chidiebere Okeke, 45; and Monday Okeke, 48; both of Umuohi Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, over alleged murder of their 39-year-old cousin, Okwuchukwu Okeke.
Prime Witness (PW1) in the matter, Ibuodinma Benjinus, had told the court that the duo of Chidiebere Okeke and Monday Okeke had protracted land dispute with the late Okwuchukwu, which, for long, could not be resolved.
He said the dispute brought ill-feelings among them; and that on a certain Tuesday, May 11, 2017, in the evening hours, the late Okwuchukwu Okeke ran to his house and told him that Chidiebere and Monday were after his life.
Ibuodinma further told the court that the next day after Okwuchukwu’s report to him; Okwuchukwu got missing only to be found dead within their compound on the14th day of May, 2017.
According to him, when the deceased’s decomposing body was found and police invited, the duo of Chidiebere Okeke and Monday Okeke, they took to their heels only to resurface two weeks later; before they were arrested by police.
Meanwhile, Barr Ernest Okafor, Chief State Counsel, who was prosecuting the matter, had pleaded with the court to give him time to liaise properly with the prime witness so that he would be able to give guided evidence in the matter in a next adjourned date.
After listening to the testimony of the witness, and considering the pleading of the prosecuting counsel, the presiding Judge, Justice R.O Onunkwo, adjourned the matter to 12th, 13th and 28th November, 2018, for continuation of hearing; while the suspects were remanded in prison custody.
In a chat with journalists after the court session, counsel to the accused persons, Chief ( Barr) Oseloka Osigwe, expressed worry how “men of the Nigerian Police would point accusing finger on individuals without doing thorough investigation on a matter before them. He said he would get to the root of the matter, and cause justice to prevail on the accused”.
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