Policeman who killed ex-minister’s niece arraigned, granted bail

A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) who allegedly shot and killed Miss Anita Akapson, a niece of Senator Nenadi Usman (former Minister of Finance), was yesterday arraigned before an FCT High Court in Zuba.

Inagozie Igochukwu Godwin was upon his not guilty plea granted bail in the sum of N50million by the court.

In the criminal charge filed by the Commissioner of Police against DSP Godwin, 36, it was stated that Anita Akapson, 31, was shot to death on October 13, 2018 at about 9:45pm at Katampe area of Abuja.

The prosecutor, Donatus Abah, said the one-count charge a criminal offence, to wit culpable homicide (but not punishable with death) ran contrary to Section 22(3) of the penal code and punishable under Section 22(4) of the same code with a maximum of life sentence.

After taking submissions from both counsel on a bail application for the defendant, the trial judge, Justice A. O. Ebong, admitted the defendant on bail in the sum of N50million with two sureties.

Justice Ebong held that the court granted the defendant bail because the police prosecutor failed to advance cogent reasons under the law why bail should not be granted.

Other conditions for the bail include two sureties who must be resident of the FCT in their own houses and must be serving public servants who should not be below the position of Directors.

The court also ordered that the defendant deposit all his travel documents with the court registry and must make himself available throughout the trial. Justice Ebong further held that the defendant be remanded in prisons custody pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions.

He thereafter adjourned the case to November 29 for commencement of hearing.