A Magistrate Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has remanded six persons in a correctional facility over the alleged murder of the traditional ruler of Isinkwo Autonomous Community in Onicha Local Government Area, HRH Eze Josephat Ikegwu.
The defendants, Ucha Johnson, Ogobuchi Igwe, Nkpuma Nwankwo, Edwin Onwoshi, Itumo Joseph and Emmanuel Nwaba, were arraigned on Tuesday on charges bordering on conspiracy, murder, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to the charge, the defendants and others said to be at large allegedly conspired on April 1, 2026, at Ishinkwo in Onicha Local Government Area to commit murder.
The prosecution alleged that the accused persons unlawfully killed the monarch by shooting him with a gun at his residence in the community.
The late Eze Ikegwu was reportedly attacked and killed in his house by gunmen.
In another count, Ucha Johnson, Ogobuchi Igwe and others still at large were accused of belonging to a secret cult known as the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, also called “Baggers,” contrary to the Ebonyi State law prohibiting secret cult activities and the carrying of offensive weapons.
The defendants were also charged with unlawful possession of firearms, including one AK-47 rifle with breach number 1987-658, one AK-47 magazine, eight rounds of AK-47 live ammunition, one locally made revolver pistol and one round of 3mm live ammunition.
The offences were said to be contrary to Section 324 of the Criminal Code, Cap 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State, 2009, and Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
After the charges were read, the presiding Magistrate, Olughu Nnachi, declined jurisdiction over the matter.
The court subsequently ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility pending further legal advice and continuation of proceedings before a court with competent jurisdiction.
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