Ex-Caretaker Chairman Faces Remand In Court For Cultism And Murder Charges
A former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Sunny Bekanwa, has been remanded by a Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt.
Bekanwa is accused of sponsoring the cultists responsible for the killings of Dr. Lucky Keena and Engineer Deyaa Dunsara, two prominent sons of Ogoni, in Khana Local Government Area
During the plea hearing, the prosecution counsel, Godday Amadi, informed the court of remand proceedings against Bekanwa, who is also a lecturer at Ken Saro Wiwa Polytechnic.
The charges include murder, cultism, and sponsorship of cult activities.
Amadi requested the court to remand Bekanwa at the Port Harcourt Correctional Facility under Section 302 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Rivers State. This would allow for an amendment of the charge at the State High Court to include other defendants already standing trial for the same offense.
Chief Magistrate Nnenda Obiageri-Onugbum, after considering arguments from both the prosecution and defense counsel, Emmanuel George, ordered the remand of the accused in the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre. The case was adjourned until December 1, 2023, for proper arraignment and potential bail consideration.
The court also directed the remand of Henry Barikui-Dele, charged with cultism, possession of illegal firearms, and the murder of Keena and Dunsara, in the Port Harcourt Correctional Facility based on the presented remand warrant by the prosecution counsel.
