The prosecution has closed its case against five defendants standing trial over the death of Oghenemine Ogidi, after calling six witnesses before the Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba.
The prosecution closed its case on Tuesday after the court heard evidence on the alleged shooting involving the first defendant, ASP Usman Nuhu, aka Ogbegbe.
Nuhu was reported to have given investigators different accounts of the shooting, stating in one statement that he shot Ogidi “by error” and in another that he did so “out of anger.”
He was also reported to have admitted that the shooting was not justified.
Nuhu reportedly told investigators that he first fired at Ogidi at the Effurun Motor Park after his rifle initially failed to fire, before taking him to the police office where he allegedly shot him again in the right leg.
According to his account, Area Commander, ACP Aliyu Shaba, questioned him and ordered that Ogidi be taken to Ekpan General Hospital for treatment.
Nuhu said Ogidi was later returned to the police office, where Shaba allegedly ordered that he be disarmed and detained.
The court also heard that the other four defendants told investigators that Nuhu shot Ogidi without provocation and allegedly fired at him again despite the intervention of the Area Commander.
A prosecution witness, Waziri, reportedly told the court that Nuhu’s colleagues had enough opportunity to stop the shooting while he disarmed and reassembled his rifle.
The court also heard evidence from a doctor from Central Hospital, Warri, concerning the post-mortem examination conducted on Ogidi on May 4, 2026.
During the proceedings, Nuhu reportedly collapsed and was revived before the hearing continued.
Counsel to Nuhu, Uche Chibugwu, said the defence had concluded its cross-examination of the prosecution witnesses and would file his client’s witness statement on oath before October 21.
Chibugwu also said the defence would not file a bail application.
The Delta State Director of Public Prosecutions, Tejiri R. Anuwhi, said the prosecution was hopeful of securing a conviction.
“We are hopeful of a conviction at the end of the trial. The evidence before the court is quite overwhelming, and we hope that justice will be done for the victim and for all citizens,” Anuwhi said.
Justice Michael Nduka Obi adjourned the case until October 21 for the defence to begin its case.
The defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court.
