Court acquits 2 suspects in Ozubulu killings

John Ndu, Awka

Two remaining suspects standing trial for their alleged involvement in the shooting of worshipers at St Philips Catholic Church, Ozubulu on August 16, 2017 have been discharged and acquitted.

The two suspects are Chinedu Akpunonu and Onyebuchi Mbanefo.

In a three- hours ruling yesterday, Justice Fidelis Aniukwu of Anambra state High Court sitting in Awka, ruled that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubts the allegations leveled against the suspects.

Four suspects were arraigned before the court in November 2017 after an unknown gunmen attacked and killed 13 worshipers at St Philips Catholic Church, Amakwa, Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area.

The judge had in December 2018 discharged two out of the four persons standing trial for lack of evidence by the prosecution.

Justice Aniukwu in his ruling, said the prosecution witnesses could not provide any evidence linking the defendants with the murder as alleged.

Defence counsel, Festus Kayemo (SAN), who was represented in court by another counsel, Samuel Echeakputa described the judgement as landmark considering the accelerated hearing granted by the presiding judge.

Reacting to the judgement, one of the defendants, Chinedu Akpunonu, whose joy knew no bounds, thanked God for vindicating him from what he described as an attempt by some persons to dent his image and reputation.

Meanwhile, the prosecution counsel, Jay Jay Ezeuko (SAN) says he would determine the next step to take when they get a copy of the judgement.