The premises of Nnewi High Court, in Anambra State, was taken over by a huge crowd, Friday morning, as people trooped in from many parts of the state to witness the trial of four suspects, who allegedly carried out the massacre of worshippers at St. Philips Catholic Church, Ozubulu in August, last year.
In court on Thursday, were Chinedu Akpunonu (44), Vincent Ike (57), Chukwudi Ugwu (30) and Onyebuchi Mbanefo (46), while three other suspects are still at large, are to come in direct confrontation with Aloysius Ikegwuonu, a South African-based businessman, whose father was killed in the attack, and the Parish Priest of the church, Rev Fr Jude Onwuaso and six others, who have been listed as witnesses.
The suspects were arraigned on 37-count charge bordering on conspiracy and murder, which read:
“That you Great Chinedu Akpunonu, .M. Vincent Ike .M. Chukwudi Ugwu .M. others now at large on or about 6th day of August 2017 at St Philip Catholic Church Amakwa Ozubulu at about 0600hrs in the Ekwusigo Magisterial District did conspire to commit felony to wit: Murder.
“You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 494 of the Criminal Code Cap 36 vol. II revised laws of Anambra state of Nigeria 1991.
“That you, Great Chinedu Akpunonu ‘m’, Vincent Ike m’, Chukwudi Ugwu ‘m and others now at large on the same date, place, time and within the aforementioned magisterial District did unlawfully kill one Anthoni Ufondu ‘f’ by shooting her with a gun which caused her death.
“You thereby committed an offence punishable under ‘Section 274(1) of the Criminal Code Cap 36 vol. H revised paws of Anambra state of Nigeria 1991.
“That you Great Chinedu Akpunonu ‘m’, Vincent Ike ‘m’, Chukwudi Ugwu ‘m’ others now at large on the same date, place, time and within the aforementioned magisterial District did unlawfully kill one Anurika Obunadike ‘f’ by shooting her with a gun which caused her death.
“You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 274(1) of the Crnal Code Cap 36 vol. H revised laws of Arian-144ra state of Nigeria 1991.”
The entrance of the court building, was crammed with those who had come to catch a glimpse of the accused persons, responsible for the killing, in which over 12 persons, reportedly died in an early morning mass service at the Church located at Amakwa village in the sprawling community, on August 6, 2016.
The police had moved in shortly after the incident and made arrests some of the suspects involved in the killings while the Anambra State Government promised that all those behind the attack will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Among those invited as a witness at the commencement of the trial on Friday is one Dr. Onwuka, the former President General of Ozubulu.
Meanwhile, a cross examination of witnesses by the prosecuting counsel is still ongoing.