Police charge five over invasion of Ogwashi-Uku palace

The Nigeria Police Force has charged five people to the Federal High Court Asaba over the invasion of Ogwashi-Uku Palace. The five defendants – Francis Okolie, Adigwe Eluemunor Sunday, Elue Adigwe, Eugene Ojo Izediunor and Mike Nwaukoni who is currently at large – are charged with terrorism, attempted murder and felony. In charge number FHC/ASB/18C/2024, […]

The Nigeria Police Force has charged five people to the Federal High Court Asaba over the invasion of Ogwashi-Uku Palace.

The five defendants – Francis Okolie, Adigwe Eluemunor Sunday, Elue Adigwe, Eugene Ojo Izediunor and Mike Nwaukoni who is currently at large – are charged with terrorism, attempted murder and felony.

In charge number FHC/ASB/18C/2024, they were also accused of the destruction of police and vigilante vehicles.

Some of the charges which carry up to life imprisonment came at the end of a five-month-long investigation, which was conducted based on a petition written to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and Inspector General of Police (IGP).

The charges were based on an alleged invasion of the Palace of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom in October 2023.

The defendants were accused of attempting to take over the Palace of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom.

They allegedly opened gunfire at the Palace staff, vigilante members and police officers securing the Palace gate.

In the course of the alleged attack, a member of the local vigilante was shot, while several people sustained varying degrees of injuries.

It was alleged that the Police Hilux used by the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ogwashi-Uku, and the vehicles belonging to the local vigilante team were damaged and vandalized by the defendants.

Attempts to reach Okolie for comments proved abortive as his phone lines available to our reporter were switched off.

When contacted, the Palace confirmed knowledge of the investigation but declined to make any comment on the incident.