Suspected ritualist Levi Obieze and two accomplices, Sabastine Emeka Offor and Odinwamkpa Ejike, were on Wednesday arraigned before an Enugu Magistrate Court on seven counts of kidnapping and murder.
The charges stem from alleged criminal activities between April and May 26, 2025, at Umuojo Road, Ishiagu Village, Umumba Ndiagu Community in Ezeagu Local Government Area.
The trio face multiple charges including conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping through personal violence, conspiracy to commit murder, and the unlawful killing of two victims. Prosecutors allege they worked with others still at large to abduct three individuals: 13-year-old Okoye Ukamaka, 15-year-old Chimaobi Ezi, and 31-year-old Joy Miracle Udokamma.
The kidnapping charges fall under Section 315(2) of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Laws of Enugu State, No. 14 of 2010, while the conspiracy to kidnap is punishable under Section 495(a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State, 2004.
Prosecutors further accused the suspects of conspiring to commit murder under Section 494 of the Criminal Code, with specific murder charges for killing Chimaobi Ezi and Joy Miracle Udokamma under Section 274(1) of the same legal code.
Magistrate Ngozi Edeani ordered the case file transferred to the State Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice before further court proceedings.
“The court has taken cognizance of the gravity of these allegations,” a court official stated, noting the matter would resume after the DPP’s review. Families of the victims packed the courtroom, demanding justice for their lost loved ones as the suspects were remanded in custody pending further hearings.