An Enugu State High Court has adjourned until November 30th, 2022, to open defense in the case of twenty-seven year makeup artist, Miss Ijeoma Nneke, who was allegedly murdered by two siblings when she was called for a job.
The adjournment followed an application by the defence Counsel, Mr. Chuma Oguejiofo, to enable him make deposition on oath and serve the prosecutor in order to challenge the continuous detention of the suspect, Chiamaka Ifezue.
The two siblings, Chiamaka Ifezue and her brother, Emeka Ifezue from Urualla, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State were remanded in Enugu Correctional facility for the alleged murder of Miss Ijeoma Nneke, a 27-year-old Make-up artist based in Enugu on 11th November, 2020.
The two are facing two-counts charge of conspiracy and murder as well as forcing the deceased to drink a substance believed to be poisoned after which they poured acid on her.
The offense is said to be contrary to Section 494 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol.11, Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.
The court had earlier remanded the two siblings but later discharged the second defendant, Emeka, after a no case submission by their Counsel was upheld by the court.
When the matter was called up for both parties to open defence, the defence Counsel, Mr. Chuma Oguejiofo, sought the permission of the court to step down the case to enable him to make deposition on oath, which he did not make.
Under the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, he was supposed to file and serve the prosecutor if he intended to defend the matter.
He argued that the matter would have gone ahead, but pointed out that the law provided that for one to make deposition on oath, it must to be done before the Commissioner of oath, noting that it was not expedient for the prison authorities to take the defendant alone to the Commissioner of oath at the court.
Mr. Oguejiofo said he was unhappy that the court released one of the defendants, Emeka and left the other, Chiamaka in detention after he had made no case submission for the two siblings.
He said he had appealed against the decision of the court to with hold the no case submission at the appeal court, but did not want to be seen as delaying proceedings, which was the reason he had not put up a motion for stay of proceeding.
The prosecuting Counsel, Miss Chinelo Chigbo, from Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) however did not object the application for adjournment.
After listening to the arguments, the trial Judge, Justice Kenneth Okpe, adjourned the matter until 30th of next month to enable the defense Counsel make the deposition and serve the prosecution Counsel.
