Anambra Police arraign 13 cult members over murder

An Awka Magistrate Court in Anambra State presided over by Senior Magistrate Mike Anyadiegwu, has remanded 13 alleged cult members in prison custody on a three count charge of conspiracy, murder and cultism.

When the case came up for mention, the counsel to the accused, Mr. A.R. Nzekwe applied for their bail which the Prosecuting Police Sergeant Ikemefuna Nnamani, objected to it on the ground that the nature of the case does not warrant bail.

But after listening to the submissions both the prosecutor and defence counsels, the Magistrate remanded them in prison custody and ordered that the case file be transferred to the Director of Public Prosecution.

Those remanded included: Abuchi Nnamani, Precious Obriki, Ikechukwu Agumadu, Chima Nweke, Chinonso Anakweze, Ofubuike Mkpume, Nkemjika Egbunike and Chubuzor Efobi.

Others were: Chizoba Emmanuel, Uchenna Okoye, Chukwudi Amachukwu and Arinze Uchendu.

In a related development, the Special Anti-Cultism Squad, (SPACS) of Anambra State Command has arrested seven suspected cultists with gun, charms, axe, cocaine at Umuezeagu village, Anaku community, Ayamelu Local Government Area of the State.

Those arrested: were Ogugua Igwebuike, the leader of a cult group known as Senior Vikings Confraternity, (SVC) and six others.

The arrival and arrest of the cultists by SPACS, it was gathered was greeted with jubilation by the people in the community as the cultists were said to have been terrorising the community and its environs.

Among the items recovered from the cultists were: one cut- to- size locally made gun, one axe, one expended cartridge, one barrette cap, assorted charms, one knife, pieces of clothes, liquid substance in two plastic bottles believed to be cocaine/heroine and a box of matches.

Others arrested were: Ebuka Paul Chidukwe, Kosolu Ifene, Onwune Onuorah. Ewele Okeke, Oloh Chike, Ogugua Maduka and Odemenam Chinedu.

Confirming the arrest, the Commander of SPACS, Mr. Christopher Bassey, (CSP) advised parents to always monitor the type of company their children keep stressing that they would not be spared when caught as they be made to face the wrath of the law.

He urged anyone with useful information on criminals to always come forward stating that the identity of such informants would be protected.