The Ebonyi State Police Command has arraigned a 30-year-old suspect, Oforbuike Okoro, before Magistrate Court II in Abakaliki over the alleged killing of his mother.
The suspect was earlier arrested for the alleged murder of Mrs. Onyema Damian in Ukawu, Onicha Local Government Area.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Joshua Ukandu, preliminary investigations indicate that the act followed the victim’s refusal to bathe him, which he reportedly believed was part of a ritual for wealth.
Ukandu also disclosed that within the same month, four other suspects Onyebuchi Eze, Eze Nwuke, Oko Odinaka Emmanuel, and Uchenna Ota had been arraigned over separate murder cases, describing the trend as alarming.
The Commissioner of Police, Hope Urunwa Okafor, expressed concern over the rising cases of homicide and urged residents to seek lawful means of resolving disputes rather than resorting to violence.
He also encouraged the public to report grievances to security agencies, stressing that murder remains a grave offence.
During proceedings, the defendant pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of murder. The police prosecutor, David Njoku, told the court that the offence occurred on March 19, 2026, at Ohatekwe in Ukawu, alleging that the suspect stabbed his mother in the back, resulting in her death.
“The offence is punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State, 2009,” he said.
The defendant, who had no legal representation, admitted responsibility but said he could not fully explain his actions.
“I don’t know what really happened, but I can remember that I killed her over her refusal to bathe me,” he said.
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Chinedu Agama ordered that the suspect be remanded in a correctional facility, noting that the court lacks jurisdiction to try the matter.
He directed that the case file and exhibits be forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecution for legal advice and adjourned the case to April 9.
