S/African court grants bail to 8 alleged killers of Nigerian

The eight South African alleged killer police officers arrested in connection with brutal murder of a Nigerian in 2017 have been released on bail by that country’s Magistrate Court.

Mr Adetola Olubajo, President of the Nigerian Union in South Africa (NUSA), confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Pretoria on Monday.

Olubajo said that South Africa’s Independent Police Investigating Directorate (IPID) had indicted the eight cops for the torture and murder of Mr Badmus Olalekan Ibrahim on Oct. 10, 2017.

“The eight police officers (six men and two women) were released today (Monday) on bail of R3,000 (about N72,000) each among other conditions by the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate Court.

“One of the bail conditions is that the released police officers should not in any way interfere with witnesses.

“The eight police officers made application for bail at the magistrate court today (Oct. 8) with three lawyers representing them,” he told NAN.

Olubajo said the IPID, an independent unit outside the South African Police Department, had opposed the bail application through the IPID Principal Investigating Officer, Mr Tulani Makagula.

He said the magistrate granted the wish of the defendants and adjourned the matter until Nov. 13 for further hearing.

“The police union have thrown their weight behind their accused members, pledging legal support for them.

“Also, the Nigerian Union in South Africa senior officers were at the court with members of Nigerian community to witness the proceedings and ensure everything was in order,” he said.

Olubajo said NUSA’s legal adviser, Mr Omoreige Ogboro, who was present in court, had applied for Nigeria’s Channels Television to cover the court’s proceedings.

According to unofficial sources, up to 800,000 Nigerians mostly young people reside in South Africa. (NAN)