A Magistrate Court in Ebonyi State yesterday remanded one Ojo Monday and 54 others, who were arraigned by the state police command for murder, arson and destruction of property worth millions of naira in Ebonyi community.
The police accused the 55 suspects of being responsible for the killings, destruction of buildings and illegal possession of firearms, that took place during the crises that erupted between the people of Effium and Ezza Effium, in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state, recently.
The two communities in the Ohaukwu Council Area of the state, had been enmeshed in intra-communal war that led to the killings of over 40 persons and destruction of property and other valuables worth millions of naira, in the area.
The defendants were alleged to have committed the offence in Ezza Effium in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state, on January 22, 2021.
They were arraigned yesterday on seven counts bordering on felony, murder, arson, encouraging communal war, unlawful possession of firearms, among others.
The Police Prosecutor, ASP Mathias Eze, told the court that the offences were punishable under sections 516A (a), 42, 319(1), 443 of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009 and section 3 of the Robbery and Firearms Act, Cap R, 11, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as amended
The defendants were not represented in court and, therefore, no bail application was made on their behalf.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Nnenna Onuoha, ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Abakaliki, while their case file should be transferred to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, for necessary legal advice.
She adjourned the matter to February 19, 2021.
