18th October, 2011
An Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday ordered the remand of PC Igodih Gbefamoghan in prison over an alleged murder charge brought against him.
The 26-year old police constable was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Johnson Adelegan for the offence committed on October 13 at about 11.30 p.m. on Broad Street, Okitipupa in the Okitipupa Magisterial District, Ondo State.
Gbefamoghan was alleged to have shot dead one Christopher Okawon, a commercial motorcyclist, with an AK47 service rifle officially issued to him as a bank security man at Oceanic Bank, Okitipupa.
The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Zakari Ibrahim, said the offence was contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Laws of Ondo State 1978.
The magistrate refused to take the accused person’s plea, saying the offence bordered on murder which his court could not try.
Adelegan ordered the police to make duplicate copies of the case file and forward same to the Director of Public Prosecution in the Ministry of Justice for legal advice.
He adjourned the matter till December 12 for mention.