Judge Orders Accelerated Hearing On Attempted Murder Case

Three years after, ruling in the bail applications brought by lawyers to two defendants standing trial on allegations bothering on conspiracy and attempted murder in a High Court of Anambra State holding at Neni, Anaocha LGA of the state, has continued pending.

The case marked NN/20c/2023, Anambra State Vs Chibueze Uzuegbunam (1st Defendant), and Stephen Nonso Nwoye (2nd Defendant) is before Justice Onyinye Anumonye of the High Court 2, Neni, Anaocha LGA.

The defendants have been remanded in the facilities of the Awka Correctional Centre since they were arraigned at the Abagana Magistrate Court, Njikoka LGA, while their bail applications were later filed at the High Court three years ago.

The State Chief Judge, Justice O. M. Anyachebelu had during his visit to the Correctional Centre, after hearing complaints of failing health by the second defendant, Nonso Nwoye granted the latter permission to tell his lawyer to file his medical reports to the Court, and, ordered that his case be heard on January 6, 2026.

But when the matter eventually came up in the court sometime last March, hearing on the case was stalled as a result of the absence of the PW 2 (police investigation officer).

The lawyer for the prosecution, Barr Anudu had informed the court that the PW 2 called him on phone informing him that he was “sick” and that he would not be able to come to the court.

Counsels to the two defendants, Joy Nweke for Chibueze Uzuegbunam and Dr Nnamdi Chukwudebelu for Nonso Nwoye had raised strong objections to the manner the PW 2 failed to be in Court.

Justice Anumonye had adjourned further hearing on the case to May 8, 2026, and, gave a terse order to the prosecution lawyer to make sure that PW 2 came to the Court, otherwise, he will “discharge the defendants”.

The court, however, could not sit as slated last Friday because the State Chief Judge ordered Courts not to sit as a result of the National Executive Council NEC) meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Dr Chukwudebelu who conveyed the message to his client said that Justice Anumonye has rather ordered an accelerated hearing on the case and fixed May 29, June 12, June 26, July 17, and July 24, 2026, and ordered all parties in the case to cooperate with the court.