…Journalists barred from courtroom as family demands transparency
By Egufe Yafugborhi & Ochuko Akuopha
ASABA — The identities of four police officers accused of complicity in the alleged extrajudicial killing of 28-year-old Oghenemine Ogidi, popularly known as OG Millions, were made public on Monday as a High Court sitting in Asaba remanded five suspects in custody.
The suspects were arraigned before Justice Marshal Onome Umukoro of High Court 5, Asaba, in Suit No. THC/ASB/CR/M/66C/2026, titled Commissioner of Police vs Usman Nuhu & 4 Others.
The defendants include ASP Nuhu Usman, also known as Ogbegbe, 42; ASP Onoloko Dauroupamo, 47; ASP Okoh Kelechi, 46; Inspector Goodluck Kingsley, 42; and Inspector Omonigho Ahweyevu, 41.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, is the complainant in the matter.
Following submissions by counsel to the prosecution, the court ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Ogwashi-Uku, pending legal advice from the Department of Public Prosecutions, DPP.
Justice Umukoro subsequently adjourned the matter to June 15, 2026, for an update on the DPP’s legal advice and further proceedings.
However, journalists were denied access to the courtroom during the hearing.
One of the police officers stationed at the court gate told reporters that the restriction was based on instructions from higher authorities.
“That is the instruction we were given. No journalist should come in over this case,” the officer said.
Reacting after the proceedings, rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, described the arraignment of the officers as a positive step toward securing justice for the deceased.
“Today, they finally produced the officers in court, including the principal suspect and others. The judge ordered that they remain in custody while the DPP reviews the case,” he said.
Gwamnishu, whose viral video amplified public outrage over the killing, expressed concern that the family of the deceased had not been adequately informed about developments in the case.
He also criticised attempts to shield the proceedings from public scrutiny, while commending journalists and observers who remained at the court premises despite the restrictions.
According to him, future proceedings may be conducted virtually, with the suspects participating from the correctional facility.
Also speaking, a cousin of the deceased, Alex Emuobor, lamented that the family received no formal notice of the court sitting and only learned of it through unofficial channels.
“We were advised to contact the Commissioner of Police, but later got information from activists that the case would be heard today. We rushed to Asaba immediately and arrived after proceedings had ended.
Our only request is to be carried along. We want to know what is happening in the case of our late brother,” he said.
Similarly, the deceased’s elder brother, Victory Ogidi, expressed frustration over the lack of communication from authorities.
“We lost our brother and should not be relying on social media to know what is happening in a case that concerns us directly,” he said.
He called on the Delta State Attorney-General, the Ministry of Justice and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure transparency and keep the family informed throughout the trial.
The case stems from the April 26, 2026, fatal shooting of Oghenemine Ogidi, an aspiring Warri-based musician, at Effurun Motor Park in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
The incident sparked widespread outrage after a viral video allegedly showed ASP Nuhu Usman shooting the victim at close range with an AK-47 rifle.
According to reports, Ogidi was apprehended by motor park officials after a parcel sent to him from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, was allegedly found to contain a Beretta pistol and four rounds of ammunition.
Two other suspects believed to be linked to the firearm shipment — the alleged sender and the transport driver involved in the delivery — were not brought to court during Monday’s proceedings.
The killing has continued to attract public attention, with family members, civil society organisations and human rights groups demanding justice and accountability.
One of the lawyers monitoring the case, Austin Nyekigbe, said the outcome of the trial would have significant implications for efforts to combat police brutality and impunity.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. This trial and its outcome have strong implications for the fight to end police brutality and impunity,” he said.
