Four of the five defendants charged over the fatal shooting of Oghenemi “Mine” Ogidi have been granted bail by a Delta State High Court, while the lead accused, ASP Usman Nuhu (also known as Ogbegbe), remains in custody.
Justice Michael Obi granted the applications on Wednesday after all five defendants closed their defence in the trial linked to the April 26 incident in Effurun. The four released on bail are Onoloko Dauroupamo, Okoh Kelechi, Goodluck Kingsley and Omonigho Ahweyevu. All five were former members of the Anti-Crime Squad under Nuhu at the Effurun Area Command before their dismissal by the police.
Nuhu’s lawyer, Uche Chibuogwu, said he deliberately chose not to apply for bail for his client. He cited both the capital nature of the murder charge and concerns for Nuhu’s safety. “We did not find it necessary filing bail application for the first defendant, one, for his own safety, and secondly, this is a capital offence offence of murder,” Chibuogwu told journalists.
The Delta State Director of Public Prosecutions, Tejiri R. Anuwhin, explained that the four defendants face charges related to negligence that carry a maximum of six months’ imprisonment. They have been in custody since June 1. “So ordinarily, if they were found guilty, they would have almost served that term of imprisonment,” Anuwhin said.
Bail conditions require each of the four to produce a surety who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, provide evidence of three years’ tax payment and a valid tax clearance certificate, deposit their National Identification Number card, and enter a N2 million undertaking.
The prosecution had earlier closed its case after calling six witnesses. On Wednesday the five defendants gave evidence and called one witness before closing their cases. The matter was adjourned to November 17 for adoption of final written addresses, after which the court will move towards judgment.
Chibuogwu described the case as difficult, noting the loss suffered by Ogidi’s family and friends, while stressing that justice must serve the deceased, society and the defendants. He said he was fulfilling his constitutional duty as counsel.
In a separate matter before the same judge, content creator Ifeanyi Ogbonna, popularly known as Odogwu Asaaba, pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and manslaughter over the death of Favour Agbro. That case was adjourned to October 28 for the start of trial.
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