Just In : Former Local Government Chairman sent to Prison custody over alleged murder
A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Port Harcourt, has remanded a former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Sunny Bekanwa, on alleged sponsorship of cultists that led to the murder of two prominent sons of Ogoni in the area.
According to the remand warrant sighted, the accused was alleged to have sponsored cultists that led to the murder of Lucky Keena and Deeyaa Dunsara in Khana Local Government Area, an offence which some individuals are already standing trial at the state High Court.
When the matter came up for plea, Prosecution Counsel, Godday Amadi, informed the court of a Remand Proceeding against Sunny Bekanwa, who is also a lecturer at Ken Saro Wiwa Polytechnic, which he said is arising from the charge of murder, cultism and sponsorship of cult activities.
Amadi, however, asked the court to remand the suspect to Port Harcourt Correctional Facility sighting Section 302 of Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Rivers State to enable him amend his charges at the state High Court to include other defendants standing trial for the same offence.
The Chief Magistrate, Nnenda Obiageri-Onugbum, after listening to the prosecution and defence counsel, Emmanuel George, who requested for bail of his client, ordered that the accused be remanded in Port Harcourt Correctional Centre and adjourned till December 1, 2023, for proper arraignment and possible bail consideration.
Counsel for Nigeria Police, Godday Amadi, in an interview with newsmen, explained more about what is contained in the charges and his reasons for refusing bail application of the accused.
On his part, Emmanuel George, who is counsel for the accused, explained his reason for applying for bail of his client, but expressed displeasure that bail was not granted for alleged sponsorship of cultist.
It was gathered that the court also directed that another accused person, Henry Bariku-Dele, who is also facing counts of cultism, possession of illegal firearms and murder of Lucky Keena and Deeyaa Dunsara should be remanded in Port Harcourt Correctional Facility, following remand warrant presented by prosecution counsel and also adjourned till December 1, 2023.
