Court Remands Alleged Killers of Jumia Dispatch Agent

· Federal High Court rules on Kemi’s bail application
Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

A Port Harcourt Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday ordered that two out of the three suspected killers of Jumia Online Shopping Company’s dispatch agent, Eleje Chukwuma, be remanded in prison and adjourned the matter indefinitely.

The accused persons, Sodienye Mbatumukeke (aka Jelly) and Excel Divine Naabe (aka Joker) were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Amadi O Amadi-Nna, on a three count charge of conspiracy and murder of Eleje Chukwuma in case number PMC/697C/2017 by Inspector Jonas Rufus.

The prosecution said the accused persons committed the offence on March 25, 2017, at No. 1 Ada-Ede Street, Shell Location, Mgbuoba, Port Harcourt.
According to the charges proffered against the accused persons, on count one, Mbatumukeke (24) and Naabe (27) on the aforementioned date, carried offensive weapon, pestle, and hit the victim on the head and robbed him of an Infinix Note 3 handset valued N67,000.
Also, they robbed him of one Gionee M6 phone valued N105,000 and IM-10 Desktop GSM dual SIM phone valued N9,500; all totalling N181,000.

The counts read: “That you Sodienye Mbatumukeke ‘m’ on the 25th day of March, 2017 at No 1 Ada-Ede street, Shell Location Mgbuoba, Port Harcourt in the Port Harcourt Magisterial District did carry offensive weapon, mortar pestle to hit on the head of Eleje Chukwuma ‘m’ and robbed him of one Infinix Note 3 handset valued sixty seven thousand naira (67,000.00), one IM-10 Desktop GSM phone dual SIM valued 9,500 and one Gionee M6 phone valued N105,000 total value N181,000.00, property of Jumia Online Shopping Company and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and firearms (Special Provision) Act Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“That you Sodienye Mbatumukeke ‘m’ and Excell Divine Naabe ‘m’ on the same date and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: murder and hereby committed an offence punishable under section 324 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol II Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999.

“That you Sodienye Mbatumukeke ‘m’ and Excell Divine Naabe ‘m’ on the same date and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District did murder one Eleje Chukwuma ‘m’ by hitting him on the head with a mortar pestle and subsequently suffocated him by covering his head with a polythene waste nylon bag before tying him with a cable wire which caused his death and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol II Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999.”
The trial Chief Magistrate, Amadi-Nna, after the case was mentioned, said the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the matter due to the gravity of offence committed.

He said the case file would be transferred to the Court Registrar for onward transmission to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.
He, however, stated that the accused persons could seek bail at the state High Court.
There was no defence counsel for the accused persons. The third accused person, a female, Joy Eluwa, was not brought to court for arraignment.

In another matter, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has fixed today (Tuesday) for ruling on the bail application of embattled online blogger, Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo, who faced a cyber-crime charge.

Omololu-Olunloyo’s bail consideration application, which was moved by her lead counsel, F.O. Lawal, was vehemently opposed to by the Prosecution Counsel, David Abuo.
The trial judge, Justice H.I.O Shamah, however, reserved today, for ruling and continuation of hearing on the matter.

Kemi was arraigned by the Police for allegedly transmitting false adultery report about the General Overseer of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie.