A Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba has granted bail to four former police officers standing trial over the alleged killing of Oghenemine Ogidi at Effurun Motor Park, while the first defendant, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Usman Nuhu, popularly known as Ogbegbe, remains in custody.
Urhobo Today reported that the court granted bail to Owoloko Daurou, Okoh Kelechi, Goodluck Kingsley and Omonigho Ahweyevu after their lawyers filed bail applications.
The five defendants were members of the Anti-Crime Squad led by Nuhu at the Effurun Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force before the police authorities dismissed them following the incident.
Justice Michael Nduka Obi granted bail to the second to fifth defendants after all five defendants concluded their defence in the case.
Nuhu remained in custody because his lawyer had not filed a bail application on his behalf.
The Delta State Director of Public Prosecutions, Tejiri Anuwhin, confirmed that the prosecution had closed its case after calling six witnesses, while 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,” Anuwhin said.
The DPP, who led the prosecution alongside Deputy Director Justin Amahi and Principal State Counsel Oghenechavwuko, said the conclusion of the defence cases had paved the way for the parties to submit their final written addresses.
The court adjourned the case until November 18 for the adoption of the final written addresses. The judge is expected to fix a date for judgment after the parties present their submissions.
Nuhu’s lawyer explains why client remains in custody
Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, Uche Chibuogwu, counsel to Nuhu, said his client remained in custody because the defence had not filed a bail application for him.
He explained that the other four defendants secured bail because their lawyers had submitted 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,” Chibuogwu said.
The lawyer also acknowledged the pain suffered by Ogidi’s family and friends, describing the case as difficult to handle.
He, however, said his professional obligations required him to represent Nuhu despite the circumstances surrounding the case.
“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.
With the defence cases concluded, the trial is approaching its final stage, with the parties scheduled to adopt their written addresses on November 18 before the court proceeds towards judgment.
