A Magistrate Court in Asaba, Delta State has ordered the remand of a dismissed police Inspector, Ubi Ebri for alleged murder.
Ebri was arraigned on Wednesday on one count of murder, in charge number CMA/135c/2023 brought by the Commissioner of Police.
Ebri had on April 5, 2023 “along Asaba-Ugbolu road within the Asaba Magisterial District did unlawfully kill one Ibeh Onyeka by shooting him with a gun and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Law Cap C21 Vol 1 Laws of the Delta State of Nigeria, 2006,” the charge sheet read.
Granting an exparte motion to remand the suspect till May 8, the Chief Magistrate, Carl Moeteke, insisted the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case and as such has been transferred to the Directorate of Public Prosecution of the state Ministry of Justice.
Counsel to the Delta State Police Command, Gillian Okwegbe spoke to journalists after court proceedings while family members and friends of the deceased waited anxiously within the court premises.
The case however has been adjourned to May 8.
Ibe was shot dead by a police officer at a checkpoint on Anwai-Ugbolu road, near Asaba the capital of Delta State for refusing to give a bribe while he was on his way to work. The suspect has since been dismissed from the police force and is now facing criminal charges.