The prosecution has closed its case against five defendants standing trial over the death of Oghenemine Ogidi before the Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba, following the testimony of six witnesses.
During proceedings on Tuesday, the court heard damning evidence against the primary defendant, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Usman Nuhu, popularly known as “Ogbegbe.”
Nuhu reportedly gave conflicting statements to investigators regarding the fatal shooting, claiming in one statement that he shot Ogidi “by error” and asserting in another that he acted “out of anger.”
Investigative records presented in court revealed that ASP Nuhu explicitly admitted that his actions were unjustified.
”The other policemen did not conspire with me to shoot the suspect,” Nuhu was quoted as stating in his report. “My shooting of the suspect was not justified. I fired two rounds to the suspect.”
According to investigative findings, Nuhu initially shot Ogidi at the Effurun Motor Park after his rifle initially malfunctioned. He subsequently transported Ogidi to the police facility, where he allegedly shot him a second time in the right leg.
Nuhu further disclosed that the Area Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Aliyu Shaba, intervened, questioned him, and directed that the wounded victim be rushed to Ekpan General Hospital for emergency medical care.
Following medical attention at the hospital, Ogidi was returned to the police facility, where the Area Commander ordered that Nuhu be disarmed and immediately detained.
Testimonies from the four other co-defendants aligned with the prosecution’s account, with the officers stating that Nuhu shot Ogidi without any provocation.
They further alleged that Nuhu fired at the victim a second time despite the explicit intervention of the Area Commander.
Adding to the state’s evidence, a prosecution witness identified as Waziri told the court that Nuhu’s colleagues had ample time and opportunity to restrain him while he disarmed and reassembled his rifle before firing.
The court also admitted forensic medical evidence from Dr. Clement of the Central Hospital, Warri, who conducted the post-mortem examination on the deceased on May 4, 2026.
There was a brief tension in the courtroom during the trial as ASP Nuhu collapsed. He was quickly revived by medical personnel present before proceedings resumed.
Speaking after the session, counsel for the first defendant, Uche Chibugwu, stated that the defense team had extensively cross-examined all six prosecution witnesses.
He affirmed that Nuhu’s written statement on oath would be formally filed before October 21, adding that no bail application would be submitted on behalf of the principal defendant.
Expressing firm optimism over the outcome of the trial, the Delta State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Tejiri R. Anuwhi, emphasized that the evidence presented against the accused was compelling.
”We are hopeful of a conviction at the end of the trial,” Anuwhi declared. “The evidence before the court is quite overwhelming, and we hope that justice will be done for the victim and for all citizens.”
Presiding judge, Justice Michael Nduka Obi, adjourned the case until October 21, 2026, for the defense to open its case.
All defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court.
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