Court remands church members in prison over murder

A Chief Magistrate Court in Benin has remanded five church members in prison custody over the alleged murder of another member.

The accused persons - Godwin Ukrakpor, 70; Uche Esegine, 22; Taiwo Omogoroye, 42; Austin Osaikhuwuomwan, 39; and Meshak Owuh, 28 - face a two-count charge punishable under sections 316 and 325 of the criminal code.

They were alleged to have committed the offence on July 1, at Sapele Road, Benin, while returning from the Redeemed Christian Church of God’s all night programmes.

According to the charge sheet, the accused persons allegedly acted in a manner that negligently caused the death of 19-year-old Lucky Chukwuka who is a member of the church’s Embassy Parish, Ugbowo, Benin city.

The accused persons could not take their plea when the charges were read to them due to lack of jurisdiction.

The presiding Chief Magistrate, Frank Idiake, however, remanded them in prison custody and referred their case to the State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.