Police Arraign Enugu Serial Kidnappers, Ritual Killers On A Seven- Count Charge

The police in Enugu State have arraigned three suspects on a seven-count charge involving several incidents of kidnapping and murder in Umumba Ndiagu and environ in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Mr Obi Levi Obieze and two others were arraigned before His Worship, Osondu Chukwuani, Court 1, Enugu North, in Enugu metropolis on Wednesday on charges involving several incidents of kidnapping and ritual murder.   

Obieze, alias "E dey play e dey show,," was nabbed at the Badagry-Seme border area of Lagos State, while trying to escape justice recently, through the concerted and collaborative efforts of the police, the Nigeria Immigration Service and other sister security agencies.

He was being hunted over his alleged involvement in abduction, kidnapping and ritual killing which rocked the Umumba Ndiagu community earlier in May this year.

The charge marked MEN/473c/2025 signed by the Prosecutor and Head of the Legal Team, Enugu State Police Command, Superintendent Justice Attah Esq, read, “That you, Obi Levi Obieze, a.k.a Ozo Ezeani alias E dey play e dey show (male), Sabastine Emeka Offor (male), Odinwamkpa Ejike (male), and others now at large, between the month of April, 2025 to 26th day of May, 2025, at about 1800hours at along Umuojo Road, Ishiagu Village, Umumba Ndiagu Community in Ezeagu, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: kidnapping and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 495 (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.

“That you… and others now at large, on the same date, time, place, and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did use personal violence and kidnapped Ukamaka, female, aged 13 years, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 (2) of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, No. 14 of 2010.

“That you… and others now at large, on the same date, time, place, and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did use personal violence and kidnapped Chimaobi Ezi, male, aged 15 years, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 (2) of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, No. 14 of 2010.

“That you… and others now at large, on the same date, time, place, and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did use personal violence and kidnapped Joy Miracle Udokamma , female, aged 31 years, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 (2) of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, No. 14 of 2010.

“That you… on or before the 21st day of May, 2025, at Umuojo Road, Ishiagu Village, Umumba Ndiagu Community in Ezeagu, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: murder and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 494 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.

“That you… on the same day, time, place, and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did unlawfully kill one Chimaobi Ezi, male, aged 15 years and thereby an offence punishable under Section 274 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004 and "That you… on the same day, time, place, and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did unlawfully kill one Joy Miracle Udokamma, female, aged 31 years and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 274 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.”

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, following which the Magistrate ruled that the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, review their charges. 

He also, recommended that the suspects be charged before the high court as magistrate courts lacked jurisdiction to try murder cases which carried capital punishments. 

Magistrate Chukwuani, then adjourned the matter to August 20 and ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.