A Magistrate Court in Enugu North has ordered the remand of a native doctor, Levi Onyeka Obieze Obu, popularly known as Ozo Ezeani, over allegations that he buried multiple victims alive in a sewage pit for ritual purposes.
The disturbing act, which reportedly took place on 26 May in Umumba Ndiagu, a community in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, included the burial of a pregnant woman, according to reports.
Nicknamed “E dey play E dey show,” Mr Obu was arraigned before Magistrate Court 1 in Enugu alongside two others: Sebastine Offor and Ejike Odinwakpa.
The trio faced a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, and murder.
Prosecuting counsel, Joshua Ejeh, informed the court that the crimes occurred between April and 26 May, stressing that they fall under the Criminal Code, CAP 30, VOL II, Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004, as well as the state’s amended criminal laws of 2010.
When the charges were read in Igbo, each defendant confirmed they understood the allegations but pleaded not guilty.
Presiding Chief Magistrate, O.S. Chukwuani, ruled that the accused persons be remanded in custody until 20 August. He also directed that the case file be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further legal action.
Explaining the decision, Mr Chukwuani said the nature of the allegations places them outside the court’s jurisdiction: the court cannot entertain the matter or consider bail requests, as the defendants are charged with capital offences.
Following the court session, Alex Amujiogu, counsel to the second defendant, commented, “The offences in question are unbailable offences at the Magistrate Court. But the defendants have an option to apply for their bail at the high court, where they can be granted bail or not,” he said.
Before his arraignment, Mr Obu had allegedly attempted to flee the country. He was intercepted by officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service at the Badagry-Seme border in Lagos while trying to cross out of Nigeria.
He was handed over to the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, who subsequently transferred him to Enugu for prosecution.