The Police in Ebonyi on has arraigned one Richard Okpu, 20; and Ginikachi Idam, 18, before a Magistrate’s Court, sitting in Abakaliki, for allegedly killing one Kelechi Isaac.
The victim was said to have allegedly gone to a native doctor to obtain charms that would prevent bullets from penetrating into his body, any time he is shot at.
After drinking the charm, he ordered the accused to test the charm by firing bullets at him.
But the gun penetrated his body killing him instantly.
It was further learned that the gun that was used to test the efficacy of the charm belonged to the late Isaac.
According to one of the suspects, Richard Okpu, “I don’t know this kind of temptation. We were on our own and our friend, because three of us are friends, came and told us he has gotten ‘Ode eshi’ (charm) and that any of us, who takes it and is shot, would not have the bullets penetrate into his body.
“We said okay, how do we know if it is working? He went and brought a gun from one hunter and said we should fire him, that the bullets would not enter. It was then that we fired him and he died.
“We didn’t mean to kill him. We just wanted to test the efficacy of the charm. God, please help us.’
The incident happened on February 5, 2020, in Amasiri Community, Afikpo North Local Government Area, of the state.
The suspects were arraigned before the Magistrate’s Court on Monday, on two counts charge bothering on murder and felony.
The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Edet Effiong, told the court that the offense was punishable under sections 324 and 319 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
The charge read, “That you Richard Okpu ‘m’ and Ginikachi Idam ‘m’ on the 5th day of February 2020, at Amasiri community Afikpo North in the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit; murder and thereby committed an offense punishable under section 324 of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
“That you Richard Okpu ‘m’ and Ginikachi Idam ‘m’ on the same date and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District did unlawfully cause the death of Kelechi Isaac ‘m’ by shooting him with a gun and thereby committed an offense punishable under section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.”
The Chief Magistrate, Chinedu Agama, said the court la led the jurisdiction to entertain the matter and ordered that the suspects be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Abakaliki.
He further directed that the case file be forwarded to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in the state, for necessary advice.
The matter was adjourned till March 3, 2020, for a report of compliance.