Court adjourns hearing of bail application in murder case

Justice Sylvester Popnen of Rivers State High Court, Port Harcourt has declined to hear the bail applications of three suspects standing trial for the alleged murder of one Chidi Onwukwe following a mix-up in adjournment dates.

Consequently, the trial judge adjourned the hearing of the defendants’ applications for bail to January 27, 2023. The judge noted that the previous date of December 22 was fixed in error by the registrar, adding that the correct date is January 27.

The three defendants, according to the charge marked PHC/667/CR/2022 filed by the police, are Samuel Onwukwe (first defendant), Promise George (second defendant), and Blessed Onyekachi Nathan (third defendant).

Chidi was, in January, murdered in his home in Elelenwo, Port Harcourt.

The killers made away with his phones and other valuables. They also transferred money from his bank account. The defendants were arraigned in early December on a four-count charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, illegal possession of arms, and murder.