An Enugu North Magistrate Court has ordered the remand of three suspects, including a well-known ritualist, Obi Levi Obieze, over their alleged involvement in multiple cases of kidnapping and murder in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Obieze, alongside Sabastine Emeka Offor and Odinwamkpa Ejike, was arraigned on Wednesday before His Worship, Osondu Chukwuani, at Court 1 in Enugu North.
The trio faces a seven-count charge filed by the Enugu State Police Command, ranging from conspiracy to kidnap and murder.
According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly conspired between April and May 26, 2025, to commit kidnapping, an offence punishable under Section 495 (a) of the Enugu State Criminal Code.
Among the victims were Ukamaka, a 13-year-old girl; Chimaobi Ezi, a 15-year-old boy; and Joy Miracle Udokamma, aged 31.
Both Chimaobi and Joy were allegedly murdered by the suspects.
The charge also includes the use of personal violence during the abductions.
The case file (MEN/473c/2025), signed by the Prosecutor and Head of the Legal Team of the Enugu State Police Command, SP Justice Attah, Esq., outlines the following:
“That you, Obi Levi Obieze a.k.a. Ozo Ezeani/E dey play e dey show, Sabastine Emeka Offor, Odinwamkpa Ejike, and others now at large, between April and May 26, 2025, along Umuojo Road, Ishiagu Village, Umumba Ndiagu Community, did conspire to commit kidnapping, an offence punishable under Section 495 (a)…”
The charges further allege that the group used force in abducting their victims and ultimately killed Chimaobi Ezi and Joy Miracle Udokamma, offences punishable under Section 274 (1) of the same law.
The suspects pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to them.
However, the presiding magistrate noted that the Magistrate Court lacks jurisdiction to try capital offences such as murder.
Consequently, the Magistrate ordered the transfer of the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for further review and arraignment at a competent high court.
The matter was adjourned to August 20, and the accused were remanded in prison custody.
According to a statement from the media office of Governor Peter Mbah, Obieze, the prime suspect, was arrested at the Badagry-Seme border while attempting to flee the country.
His arrest followed a wave of ritual killings and abductions that shook the Umumba Ndiagu community in May.
