A high-profile murder case in Abia State has been adjourned to March 27, 2025, by Chief Magistrate Court 1 in Bende Local Government Area. The court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Elizabeth, made the decision on Thursday, remanding the defendants—HRH Eze James Ogbonna, Mr. Igwe Anyim, and Ndukwe Sunday Igara—to the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Umuahia. The trio is accused of involvement in the murder of Isaac Ndukwe, a resident of Umuekpa Item in Bende LGA, an incident alleged to have occurred in 2024.
During the Thursday session, Police Prosecutor U. Ekpo highlighted the prosecution’s diligence, noting that they had filed information before a High Court to facilitate the defendants’ plea. However, J. Osisiogu, counsel for the defendants, contested this, arguing that no such information had been served to his clients by the time of the hearing. Osisiogu stressed the presumption of innocence, pointing out the dire health condition of Eze James Ogbonna, the traditional ruler, who he claimed was suffering due to his detention. He pressed for bail, citing the monarch’s deteriorating state.
The proceedings took an unusual turn when Osisiogu raised concerns about an unidentified individual photographing Eze James Ogbonna in the courtroom without permission, suggesting a breach of privacy and dignity. The magistrate briefly stepped down the matter for an hour, allowing the prosecution time to refine its application. Upon resuming, Chief Magistrate Elizabeth ordered the case file be transferred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and set the next hearing for March 27, 2025.
The case has drawn attention due to the involvement of a traditional ruler and the gravity of the charges. As the legal process inches forward, questions linger about the health of the detained monarch and the pace of justice in this sensitive matter. The people of Umuekpa Item and beyond await further developments in what promises to be a closely watched trial.
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