Ogidi: Delta High Court Remands Five Police Officers

THE five Police personnel detained in connection with the shooting to death of Delta-born musician and delivery worker, Oghenemine Ogidi, 28, were on Monday, June 1, arraigned before a State High Court 5 sitting in Asaba.
In the case, marked ‘THC/ASB/CR/M/66C/2026,’ before Justice Marshal Onome Umukoro, Usman Nuhu (42), Onoloko Dauroupamo (47), Okoh Kelechi (46), Goodluck Kingsley (42) and Omonigho Ahweyevu (41) were accused of having a handin the death of the of the deceased.
‎The officers were ordered to be remanded at the Ogwashi-Uku Correctional Centre, pending further proceedings in the matter.
‎The court adjourned the case until June 15 for fresh arraignment, following a request for legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).‎
Journalists were barred from accessing the courtroom during the arraignment, but speaking with newsmen after the adjournment, rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, described the appearance of the officers in court as “a positive step towards justice”.
He said the court ordered that the suspects remain in custody, pending legal advice from the DPP, adding: “Today, they finally produced the officers in court, including the principal suspect and others. The Judge ordered that they remain in custody while the DPP reviews the case.”
‎Gwamnishu expressed the hope that the legal processes would move quickly to enable the full trial to commence, with the family alleging that it had not been shown the autopsy report or formally briefed on investigations.
He alleged attempts to restrict public observation of the proceedings, saying future hearings may be conducted virtually, with the suspects appearing from the correctional facility, while proceedings would be “followed remotely” in court.
‎Also speaking, the deceased’s cousin, Alex Emuobor, said the family was not adequately informed about the court sitting and only got details through unofficial sources.
‎“We were advised to contact the commissioner of Police, but later got information from activists that the case would be heard today, so we rushed down to Asaba immediately.”
He stated that the family arrived at the court after proceedings had ended, leaving them frustrated, anf appealled to the Ministry of Justice and other relevant authorities to ensure timely communication with the family on the matter.
‎“Our only request is to be carried along. We want to know what is happening in the case of our late brother,” he said.
‎Similarly, the elder brother of the deceased, Victory Ogidi, complained about lack of communication from the authorities handling the case, saying the family had been relying on social media and third-party information, instead of official updates.
‎“We lost our brother, and we should not be relying on social media to know what is happening in a case that concerns us directly,” he insisted.
He urged the state attorney general and commissioner for Justice, and Police to ensure transparency and regular updates to the family, noting that the family was not asking for special treatment, but only to be properly briefed and involved in the process.
The case arose from the alleged extra-judicial killing of the upcoming musician, popularly called OG Millan, on April 26, in Effurun, Delta.
‎He was reportedly intercepted by Police operatives while allegedly attempting to waybill a package said to contain a firearm and ammunition.
The killing sparked public outrage after a viral video showing the process of the murder and has continued to draw attention from rights’ groups, family and members of the public, who are demanding justice in the case.