Abuja Federal High Court has set March 12 as the date to charge the two suspected terrorists, Jude Iheme and Chika Madukwe alleged to have kidnapped and killed the traditional ruler of Amanze Obowo Community in Imo State, Eze Basil Njoku.
The defendants were accused of killing the monarch while coming from the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia after kidnapping and collecting a ransom of N4M cash from his family.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP, filed the 3-count terrorism charges against them.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/575/2024, Iheme and Madukwe alongside others, currently at large were said to have conspired to commit felony to wit, acts of terrorism contrary to section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.
Armed with guns and other weapons, the suspects kidnapped and killed the monarch on December 17, 2022.
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The IGP also accused them of failing to volunteer information at their disposal to security agencies which could have led to apprehension of other kidnappers contrary to section 16 of the same Terrorism Act.
However the suspects pleaded not guilty.
Prosecution for the Inspector General of Police Simon Lough, SAN, told the court that the Police have amended the charges following the arrest of more suspects by operatives.
He requested a date for the other suspects to be brought to court to take a plea in the amended charges.
Justice Binta Nyako granted the request and fixed March 12 for the fresh arraignment.
The Judge also ordered that the two defendants be remanded at Kuje Prison in Abuja and be returned to court on the adjourned date.
