A magistrate court in Enugu has remanded three suspects in prison custody over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping and killing of two teenagers and a woman in Umumba Ndiagu, Ezeagu LGA.
The suspects, Obi Levi Obieze, also known as “E dey play e dey show”, Sabastine Emeka Offor, and Odinwamkpa Ejike, were arraigned on Wednesday before Osondu Chukwuani, the magistrate at Court 1, Enugu north, on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, and murder.
Obieze was arrested in May at the Badagry-Seme border while allegedly attempting to flee the country.
At the time, security operatives discovered decomposing bodies in a concrete-sealed pit at an uncompleted building allegedly owned and used by the suspect.
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According to the charge sheet marked MEN/473c/2025, the defendants allegedly abducted Ukamaka (13), Chimaobi Ezi (15), and Joy Miracle Udokamma (31), and used violence on them. Ezi and Udokamma were reportedly murdered.
“…conspired among yourselves to commit a felony, to wit: murder, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 494 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004,” the charge sheet reads in part.
During the court session, Attah, the police prosecutor, told the magistrate that the charges involve capital offences.
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However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The magistrate ordered their remand in prison custody and directed the state’s director of public prosecutions (DPP) to take over the case and file appropriate charges before a court of competent jurisdiction.
The case was adjourned to August 20 for mention.
In May, the Enugu state government demolished Obieze’s house, citing its policy against buildings linked to kidnapping.
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Meanwhile, Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, also transmitted a bill to the state house of assembly to prohibit ritual-related practices, including the use of bulletproof charms, known locally as “odeshi”.
