On March 12, new terrorism charges will be brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja against Jude Iheme and Chika Madukwe, two suspected terrorists who are suspected of kidnapping and killing Eze Basil Njoku, the traditional ruler of the Amanze Obowo Autonomous Community in Imo State.
On December 17, 2022, it was reported that the traditional ruler had been assassinated by Iheme, 52 years old, of the Amagwu Amanze Obowo local government area in Imo State, and Madukwe, 42 years old, of the Ndi-Uche Etiti Onuimo local government area in Imo State.
The defendants were charged with murdering the monarch as he was leaving the Federal Medical Center in Umuahia, following their kidnapping and subsequent N4 million ransom demand from his family.
The three-count terrorist allegation against them was brought by the Inspector General of Police, or IGP.
Iheme, Madukwe, and other alleged at-large individuals were charged with conspiring to commit a felony, specifically acts of terrorism, in violation of section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 (file number: FHC/ABJ/CR/575/2024).
On December 17, 2022, they were also reported to have attacked, abducted, and murdered the monarch after arming themselves with firearms and other aggressive weapons.
In violation of section 16 of the same Terrorism Act, the IGP further charged them with neglecting to provide security agencies with information at their disposal that may have resulted in the capture of other kidnappers.
They entered a not guilty plea when Justice Binta Nyako read the charges to them.
Simon Lough, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, is in charge of the prosecution for the 71/2 intersection Under the jurisdiction of this court, Umumegwu Amanze village in Obowo LGA Imo state conspired in concert to conduct a felony, specifically acts of terrorism, and as a result violated section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
Count two: “That on or about December 17, 2022, at the 71/2 junction Umumegwu – Amanze village Obowo LGA of Imo state, within the jurisdiction of this court, you Jude Iheme ‘M’, 56 years of Amagwu Amanze Obowo LGA of Imo state, Chika Madukwe ‘M’, 42 years of Ndi-Uche Etiti Onuimo LGA of Imo state, and others now at large, acting in concert and armed with guns and other offensive weapons attacked, kidnapped, and killed HRH Eze Basil Njoku of Amanze
