Court Remands Abia Monarch in 20-Year-Old Murder Case

Abia Monarch and Others Remanded in Murder of Young Man

​A Magistrate Court in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State has remanded His Royal Highness Eze James Ogbonna, the traditional ruler of Okai Item, and two others—Igwe Anyim and Ndukwe Sunday Igara—in prison custody over the alleged murder of 20-year-old Isaac Ndukwe. ​

The incident reportedly stemmed from a dispute involving Ndukwe’s alleged theft of N110,000 from his mother, which he used to purchase clothes, a radio, and electrical materials. This led to his being apprehended by local youths under the direction of Eze Ogbonna, where he was subsequently tortured and killed. The youths allegedly tied Ndukwe’s hands and legs, beat him, and left him on the road, resulting in his death.

The case has drawn significant attention, with the deceased’s father calling for government intervention to ensure justice. He recounted that upon discovering his son’s body, community members prevented its removal, and the traditional ruler ordered for it to be buried immediately, despite the apparent signs of foul play.