Trial by Ordeal, Ostracism, Banishment of 2 Widows, 12 Children: Court Remand 4 Suspects Nnena Ogodo,

An Abakaliki Chief Magistrate Court presided over by Mrs Nnenna Ogodo, has remanded four suspects for embarking on a jungle justice administered through trial by ordeal on two widows.

The accused persons; Egwuonwu Jonah, Sunday Obasi, Ogonnaya Eze {Boss}, Godwin Nwoko-Obi and others still at large according to court document, charge sheet number MAB/181c/2025, made available to newsmen, were arraigned on 10 count charges, including conspiracy, attempted murder, acts that are intended to cause gracious harm and armed robbery.

The arraigned suspects and others now at large on the 21st day of February, 2025 at Mebi-Okpa Okposi Ohaozara, Ebonyi State within the jurisdiction of the court did unlawfully attempt to kill one Nnenna Donatus Nwinyinya 'f' and Jonah Chuku by beating them with sticks, bottles, machetes etc and paraded her half naked around the community on bare foot, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 320 (1) of the Criminal Code Law Cap. 33 Vol. 1 laws of Ebonyi state of Nigeria 2009.

The accused and others still at large had, on the said date and place within the aforesaid magisterial district did with intent to maim, disfigure or do some grievous harm, unlawfully subjected their victims to drink contaminated water used in washing the armpit of the corpse of one Innocent Simon. The water is said to contain the congealed blood mucous from nose of the corpse, ground into concoction with native kola nut, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 332(5) of the criminal code law Cap. 33 Vol.1 laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009.

The suspects were also accused of having willfully and unlawfully destroyed five Alumaco windows, two iron doors and one wooden door among others which values were yet to be estimated, property of one Nnenna Donatus Nwinyinya thereby committing an offence punishable under section 451 of the criminal code law, Cap. 33 Vol. 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009.

"That the accused and others now at large on the same date and place in the aforesaid magisterial district did willfully and unlawfully destroyed chairs, beds, plates, pots, three houses, cartons of beer among others and burnt one Hajous Suzuki motorcycle, values yet to be estimated, property of one Jonah Chuku 'm' and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 451 of the Criminal Code Law Cap. 33 Vol. 1 laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009"; the charge sheet stated.

"...that the accused and others now at large, on the same date and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District did unlawfully direct, control and preside at the trial by ordeal of one Nnenna Donatus Nwinyinya 'f' and Jonah Chuku 'm' by accusing them of killing one Innocent Simon and subjecting/forcing them to drink the water used in washing the armpit of the deceased, got congealed mucous from his nose, ground into a concoction with native kola nut and thereby committed an offence under Section 208 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap.33 Vol.1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009.

The presiding magistrate after diligent consideration of the 10 count charges declined jurisdiction over the case.

She however, adjourned the case to the 9th Day of May, 2025 for compliance by the office of the State Director of Public Persecution (DPP).