The traditional ruler of Ovie of Evwreni Kingdom, in Ughelli North Local Government of Delta State, Oghenekevwe Kumane, has failed to appear for his alleged murder trial at the Federal High Court, Warri.
The monarch, who is the first defendant, alongside two others, Atiri Stephen and Kelli Omojugheri, were to be arraigned by the Nigeria Police as suspected killers of Sylvester Adjogbe.
Adjogbe was gruesomely murdered at his family compound during the crisis that rocked Evwreni community last July.
The communal conflict was allegedly as a result of crimes being perpetuated by the community’s vigilance group with the backing of the monarch.
Announcing appearance, DSP Irabor, Mallum appears for the Police, while S. B. Olorogun represents the defendants.
Omas Ogedegbe appeared for the nominal complainant.
DSP Mallum applied that the 2nd and 3rd defendants be remanded at the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Sapele, pending when the three suspects would be arraigned.
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In a short ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite held that since the 1st defendant was absent without reasons, against the promise he made to the police, a plea could not be taken.
Justice Nwite who ordered the remand of the other defendants pending arraignment adjourned further proceedings till March 15.
The trio are facing a two-count charge as stated in the police charge sheet: “That you Oghenekevwe Kumane, Atiri Stephen, Kelli Omojugheri, on or about the 1/07/2020 at about 1400 hours in Evwreni Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, while chanting war songs, armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, and firing sporadically, with the intent to intimidate and terrorise the entire Evwreni community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, which act led to the killing of Sylvester Adjogbe and thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 1 and 4 of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 and punishable under Section 4(2) of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011.
The 34-year-old deceased was the younger brother of the former Executive Director (Projects), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Sam Adjogbe.
