The State government, yesterday, opened the trial of four persons suspected to have conspired in the killing of Mr. and Mrs. Chima Osuagwu’s two children during a robbery in their home in Osisioma Ngwa Council of the state.

Chigozie Ikeokwu, Amana Temple, Chukwuebuka Nnamani and Godwin Chimezie, the suspects, were re-arraigned on January 27, 2022 before Justice Teddy Eruba on a five-count charge, bothering on robbery, conspiracy to commit murder and committing murder of Osuagwu Bright (9) and Osuagwu Victory (7) on April 2, 2021.

The four men were suspected to have conspired and strangled Bright and Victory at their father’s house in Abayi-Ogbuligba in the absence of their parents, but the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.

During yesterday’s proceedings, Justice Teddy Eruba of the Osisioma Court III asked the prosecution counsel to call witnesses, while the prosecution counsel called Ethelbert Amuzienwa, who told the court that he was a tenant in Osuagwu’s house where the children were killed.

He told the court how he caught Ikeokwu, while he was robbing the house, while Amuzienwa said Ikeokwu entered to steal from Chima’s home and that he came out from hiding to stop the defendant, but he made to run away.

He said he raised an alarm, which attracted people to the scene, adding that with the help of neighbours, he was able to stop the defendant.

The prosecution witness was cross-examined by Charles Okpaleke, counsel to Ikeokwu and Temple, while the third defendant’s lawyer, Chima Esom and the fourth defendant’s lawyer, Chidi Nwachukwu, took their turns to cross-examine Amuzienwa and thereafter, Justice Eruba adjourned the case till March 15 for continuation of trial.
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