An Enugu State High Court presided by Justice I. K. Okpe on Thursday remanded two siblings allegedly involved in murder of makeup artist, Ijeoma Nneke, 27, in Enugu Correctional Center.
Okpe in suit no. E/67C/2021, The State Vs Chiamaka Ifezue and Chukwuemeka Ifezue adjourned the matter until Aug. 25, 2021 following applications for the amendments of the charges.
When the matter was called up, the prosecuting counsel, Mrs Ngozi Ikem-Okoye informed the court about an oral motion as well as a pending application for the amendment of the charges.
Ikem-Okoye said that the oral motion to amend the charge was brought pursuant to Sect. 313 (3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.
Furthermore, the counsel said that the prosecution also had an application that sought the leave of the court to call additional witnesses in the matter.
She said that the application was brought pursuant to Sect. 283 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.
Responding, the defense counsel, Mr C. U. Okafor, said that he would not oppose the oral motion to correct the typographical errors on the charges.
Okafor, however, said that the application that sought the leave of the court to call more witnesses was unnecessary as the accused had yet to take pleas.
The defense counsel said that the case was not yet before the court, adding that the prosecution did not seem to be ready to prosecute the case.
However, Okpe adjourned the case until Aug. 25 for ruling on the application to call additional witnesses and for the accused to take plea.
Recall that the accused persons are standing trial for the alleged murder of Nneke.
The two siblings were alleged to have conspired to kill Nneke on or about Nov. 11, 2020 at 66 Ozubulu Street, Independence Layout, Enugu.
The offense is said to be contrary to Sect. 494 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol.11, Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004
They were also alleged to have unlawfully killed the victim by compelling her to drink poisonous substance and thereafter poured corrosive/acid chemical all over her body.
The offense is said to be contrary to Sect. 274 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol.11, Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.
Meanwhile, some relatives of late makeup artist were seen protesting at the court demanding for justice for the murder of their sister.
They carried placards with inscription, ‘We want justice for Ijeoma’.