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Two dismissed police officers have been remanded by a Magistrate's Court in Port Harcourt over the alleged killing of 22-year-old University of Port Harcourt graduate, Anthony Obodo.
The defendants, Corporal Alfred Louis and Corporal Michael Ejekwu, were arraigned on Thursday following their dismissal from the Nigeria Police Force over the August 27 shooting of Obodo at Ada George Junction, Port Harcourt.
Chief Magistrate Helen Hardy, however, did not take their plea as the charge was not read in court. Instead, she ordered that the duo be remanded at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre.
The magistrate also directed that the case file be transferred to the Chief Registrar for reassignment and adjourned the matter until September 22, 2026, for plea and possible trial.
Two other officers linked to the incident, Fabian Kpeanabari and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Solomon Nwogu, were not arraigned alongside the defendants. While Nwogu is reportedly at large, the ASP was said to be awaiting the ratification of his dismissal by the Police Service Commission before he can be prosecuted.
Speaking after the proceedings, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt Branch, Dr. Chinedu Maduba, expressed concern that only two of the officers were brought before the court.
"I reached out to the Commissioner of Police to inquire why two instead of three that have been in custody. He explained that the other one was an ASP and that his dismissal must first be ratified by the Police Service Commission before he can be taken to court," Maduba said.
He added that the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, assured him that the ratification process would be fast-tracked and could be concluded within a week instead of the usual two to three months.
Maduba said the NBA would continue to monitor the case to ensure justice for the victim and due process for all those standing trial.
"We are following up this matter until we see that justice is done. The accused persons are also entitled to justice. Let them have their day in court and let the prosecution prove its case," he said.
The arraignment came a day after the Rivers State Police Command paraded three dismissed officers linked to the incident. Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju had also disclosed that another officer who allegedly fled after the shooting had been declared a deserter and would face prosecution once arrested.
