By Sunday Ameh
Two policemen dismissed over the alleged killing of a 22-year-old University of Port Harcourt graduate, Anthony Obodo, have been remanded at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre.
The officers—Corporal Alfred Louis and Police Constable Michael Ejekwu—were brought before a Port Harcourt Magistrates’ Court on Thursday on a remand warrant.
They are among four police officers dismissed in connection with Obodo’s death at Ada George Junction, Port Harcourt, on August 27.
The other dismissed officers are Assistant Superintendent of Police Fabian Kpeanabari and Inspector Solomon Nworgu. While Kpeanabari was not brought before the court, Nworgu is reportedly still at large.
The Chief Magistrate, Helen Hardy, declined to have the charge read to the accused, and no plea was taken.
She subsequently ordered that Louis and Ejekwu be remanded at the correctional centre and directed that the case file be forwarded to the Chief Registrar for reassignment.
The matter was adjourned until September 22, when the accused are expected to enter their pleas and further proceedings may commence.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch, Chinedu Maduba, questioned why only two of the dismissed officers were brought before the court.
Maduba said he contacted the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, who explained that Kpeanabari, being an Assistant Superintendent of Police, required ratification of his dismissal by the Police Service Commission before being taken to court.
He added that the police authorities had promised to fast-track the process to enable the officer to face the court.
The case has sparked public outrage, protests and demands for justice from Obodo’s family.
Obodo was reportedly shot around 5pm on August 27 after allegedly failing to stop when police officers flagged down his vehicle at the junction.
An eyewitness claimed that one of the officers opened fire, hitting the graduate. His vehicle subsequently lost control and reportedly struck three people.
Obodo’s father, Princewill Obodo, has alleged that his son was deliberately targeted and demanded accountability for his death.
He also claimed that the officers had initially been deployed to provide security during the recently concluded Nigerian Bar Association conference at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, before being redeployed to the area where his son was killed.
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