By Isharo Odafe
The Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba on Wednesday granted bail to four defendants standing trial over the fatal shooting of Oghenemine Ogidi at Effurun Motor Park, Delta State, while the first defendant, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Usman Nuhu, popularly known as “Ogbegbe,” remains in custody.
The development followed the closure of the defence cases by all five defendants in connection with the April 26 incident.
The trial judge, Justice Michael Nduka Obi, granted bail to the second to fifth defendants: Owoloko Daurou, Okoh Kelechi, Goodluck Kingsley and Omonigho Ahweyevu.
The defendants were members of the Anti-Crime Squad led by Nuhu at the Effurun Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force before they were dismissed by the police authorities following the incident.
The prosecution team, led by the Delta State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr Tejiri R. Anuwhin, alongside the Deputy Director, Mr Justin Amahi, and Principal State Counsel, Miss Oghenechavwuko Agbatutu, confirmed that all five defendants had opened and concluded their defence cases.
Anuwhin said the prosecution had earlier closed its case after calling six witnesses, adding that the defendants subsequently presented their defence and called a witness.
“Today was the turn of the defence to open their case, and the defendants, five of them, opened their defence, gave evidence and also called a witness they have,” he said.
He added that the defence teams had concluded their cases, paving the way for the adoption of final written addresses.
According to him, the court adjourned the matter to November 18 for the parties to adopt their final written addresses.
He explained that after the adoption of the addresses, the court would adjourn the case for judgment.
Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, counsel to Nuhu, Mr Uche Chibuogwu, explained that his client remained in custody because no bail application had been filed on his behalf.
He said the other four defendants were granted bail because their lawyers had filed the necessary applications.
“Today, we opened our defence for the first defendant, and we concluded our case. The second, third, fourth and fifth defendants’ counsel did the same, too. The second to the fifth defendants were granted bail because bail applications were filed on their behalf, but the first defendant remains in custody,” he said.
Chibuogwu acknowledged the pain suffered by the deceased’s family and friends, describing the case as a difficult one to handle as defence counsel.He, however, stressed that despite the circumstances surrounding the case, he had a constitutional duty to represent his client.
“For the deceased person, like I said earlier, it’s quite unfortunate. And this defence is a difficult one for me, but I have to do my constitutional duty as a lawyer,” he said.
The case has now been adjourned to November 18 for the adoption of final written addresses, after which the court is expected to proceed towards judgment.
