Ozubulu church massacre: Again absence of witnesses stall trial, case adjourned to March 22

For the second time the prosecution counsel failed to present witnesses in the trial of four accused persons alleged to be masterminds of the massacre of parishioners at St. Philips Catholic church, Ozubulu on August 6, 2017.

Due to the absence of witnesses hearing on the matter scheduled for Friday, March 16, was stalled at Nnewi High Court No. 3, presided over by Justice F. I. Aniukwu.

The suspects are Great Chinedu Akpunonu, 44; Vincent Ike, 57; Chukwudi Ugwu, 30, and Onyebuchi Mbanefo, 46.

They are being arraigned on a 24 -count charge bordering on conspiracy and murder while others are still at large. They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Prosecuting Counsel, Jay Jay Ezeuko, SAN presented to the judge two letters of application addressed to the Chief Judge of the State requesting for adequate security and protection of witnesses in the matter.

He also requested for a change of venue of the court to address what he called unwarranted threat to lives of the witnesses, as well as attacks on their properties.

It will be recalled that on January 29, 2018, the prosecution counsel failed to produce witnesses.

He also did not notify on time prison officials to produce the four accused persons.

In heated argument, Counsels to the first, second, third and fourth defendants held that the move by the prosecuting counsel was a publicity stunt to delay the matter and further endanger the lives of the accused who have been in prison custody for five months.

Festus Keyamo, SAN, Counsel to first defendant, Chinedu Akpunonu regretted that for the second time the case is being delayed and advocated speedy dispensation of justice.

However, Justice Aniukwu adjourned the case to March 22 and 23, to enable the chief judge of the state respond to the applications. He explained that hearing of the matter must continue because the applications made to the Chief Judge of the State did not request for

stay of proceedings.

Justice Aniukwu advised the Prosecution Counsel to appear in court in the next sitting with his witnesses as heavy security within the court has been sufficient since the beginning of the trial to guarantee the protection of his witnesses. He said the court would review the actions of the parties involved in the matter.

A few days ago, no fewer than 100 protesters besieged the State Headquarters of the State Police Command requesting for more security presence at the troubled community over threat lives of witnesses in the matter. Many believe that the action of the protesters was to counter the protest staged by Ozubulu Youths calling for the release of Chinedu Akpunonu whom they said was a victim of circumstance.