The five police operatives detained in connection with the alleged shooting to death of Delta-born musician and delivery worker, Oghenemine Ogidi, 28, were on Monday arraigned before a state High Court 5, sitting in Asaba.

‎The case, filed under Suit No. THC/ASB/CR/M/66C/2026, came before Justice Marshal Onome Umukoro.

‎The defendants include ASP Usman Nuhu (42), ASP Onoloko Dauroupamo (47), ASP Okoh Kelechi (46), Inspector Goodluck Kingsley (42), and Inspector Omonigho Ahweyevu (41).

‎The officers were ordered to be remanded at the Ogwashi-Uku Correctional Centre, pending further proceedings in the matter.

‎The court adjourned the case to June 15 for fresh arraignment, following a request for legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

‎Newsmen were, however, barred from entering the courtroom during the arraignment.

‎Speaking with newsmen after the adjournment, human rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, described the appearance of the officers in court as “a positive step towards justice”.

Gwamnishu‎ said the court ordered that the suspects remain in custody, pending legal advice from the DPP.

‎“Today, they finally produced the officers in court, including the principal suspect and others.

“The judge ordered that they remain in custody while the DPP reviews the case,” he said.

‎Gwamnishu expressed the hope that the legal processes would move quickly to enable the full trial to commence.

According to him, the family has alleged that it had not been shown the autopsy report or formally briefed on investigations.

He also claimed that there were attempts to restrict public observation of the proceedings.

‎Gwamnishu further disclosed that future hearings may be conducted virtually, with the suspects appearing from the correctional facility, while proceedings would be “followed remotely” in court.

‎Also speaking, the deceased’s cousin, Alex Emuobor, said the family was not adequately informed about the court sitting and only got details through unofficial sources.

Emuobor‎ said: ‎“We were advised to contact the Commissioner of Police, but later got information from activists that the case would be heard today.

“We rushed down to Asaba immediately.”

He further said the family arrived at the court after proceedings had ended, leaving them frustrated.

‎He appealed to the state Ministry of Justice and other relevant authorities to ensure timely communication with the family on the matter, going forward.

‎“Our only request is to be carried along. We want to know what is happening in the case of our late brother,” he said.

‎Similarly, the elder brother to the deceased, Victory Ogidi, also complained about lack of communication from the authorities handling the case.

‎He said the family had been relying on social media and third-party information, instead of official updates.

‎“We lost our brother, and we should not be relying on social media to know what is happening in a case that concerns us directly,” he said.

‎Victory urged the state Attorney-General, Ministry of Justice, and the Nigeria Police to ensure transparency and regular updates to the family.

He said that the family was not asking for special treatment, but only to be properly briefed and involved in the process.

Meanwhile, Justice Umukoro subsequently adjourned the matter to June 15, 2026, for an update on the DPP’s legal advice and further proceedings.

Reports from the court said  journalists were denied access to the courtroom during the hearing and no reason was officially given for the restriction.

One of the police officers stationed at the court gate told reporters that the restriction was based on instructions from higher authorities.

“That is the instruction we were given. No journalist should come in over this case,” the officer said.

The case stems from the April 26, 2026, fatal shooting of Oghenemine Ogidi, an aspiring Warri-based musician, at Effurun Motor Park in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

The incident sparked widespread outrage after a viral video allegedly showed ASP Nuhu Usman shooting the victim at close range with an AK-47 rifle.

According to reports, Ogidi was apprehended by motor park officials after a parcel sent to him from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, was allegedly found to contain a Beretta pistol and four rounds of ammunition.

Two other suspects believed to be linked to the firearm shipment — the alleged sender and the transport driver involved in the delivery — were not brought to court during Monday’s proceedings.

The killing has continued to attract public attention, with family members, civil society organisations and human rights groups demanding justice and accountability.

One of the lawyers monitoring the case, Austin Nyekigbe, said the outcome of the trial would have significant implications for efforts to combat police brutality and impunity.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. This trial and its outcome have strong implications for the fight to end police brutality and impunity,” he said.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers, has directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to embark on an indefinite strike beginning from today Monday, June 1, 2026, over the continued captivity of abducted teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The directive comes amidst growing concerns over the safety of teachers and students after 46 pupils and their teachers were abducted by suspected terrorists in the Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities.

In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the Oyo State Wing of the union, Hassan Fatai, and the Secretary, Salami Olukayode, the NUT said the continued detention of the victims has created fear and anxiety among teachers, discouraged school attendance, and heightened tension across affected communities.

The union noted that the industrial action is intended to draw the attention of government authorities and security agencies to the urgent need to intensify efforts toward securing the safe release of the abducted teachers and pupils.

It directed all teachers in public primary and secondary schools across the state to comply fully with the strike action and remain at home pending further directives.

PROMISES DELIVERED

Troops of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army have rescued 23 kidnap victims following an attack by suspected bandits along the Ayegunle–Bunu Road in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The development is contained in an operational report made available to journalists in Abuja on Monday.

The report said the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, when the attackers barricaded the road and abducted an unspecified number of passengers.

According to the report, troops of the 12 Brigade, deployed in Kabba, responded swiftly to the distress call, but the assailants had fled before their arrival.

The report stated that “On reaching the scene, the troops discovered two dead bodies, five injured victims, as well as two Toyota commercial buses and a HOWO truck abandoned by the roadside.

”The troops immediately launched pursuit operations along the kidnappers’ withdrawal routes, leading to the rescue of 23 passengers who had been abandoned due to the sustained pressure.

”The injured victims were evacuated to St. Joseph Hospital, Kabba, for medical attention. Efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing criminals and rescue the remaining victims.”