The Chief
Magistrate Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State capital has remanded seven
pro-Biafra agitators in prison custody over the alleged murder of three police
officers. The accused are charged with the murder of ASP Genesis Akagha, Sgt.
Itoro Thompson and Cpl. Biosu Onyeka of the state police command. The incident
occurred in Asaba on May 30, 2016 on the event to mark the 49th Biafra Hero’s
Day Celebration by Biafra agitators, including members of the Indigenous People
of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of
Biafra (MASSOB).
It was on the
occasion of the anniversary of the declaration of Biafra by the late Chukuemeka
Odumegwu-Ojukwu in 1967. Other charges preffered against them include cultism,
conspiracy, membership of unlawful society and illegal possession of arms. It
is recalled that the Biafra Hero’s Day Celebration which started peacefully
ended in qious and blood-shed as Nigeria Military operatives invaded various
Celebration ground, opened fire on un-armed IPOB
members and abducted many. This led to many
dead, at about 67 dead of the IPOB members and many still missing till date.The
offences, according to the charge sheet, are punishable under various sections
of the Criminal Code, Cap C.21 Vol.1 Laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006 and
the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Cultism/Terrorism Cap C.28 Law No. 8 of Delta
State of Nigeria, 2013. Their plea was not taken by the court presided over by
F.I. Dikeh, who ordered that they should be remanded in prison custody. He
adjourned the matter to July 11 for mention. Please like, share and follow!