The failure of Chief Bernard Kama
Inyama, to appear in for arraignment over a murder case allegations connected to Okun- Ohafia crisis of January 2, 2026 stalled the arraignment of eight other suspects who where in court on Thursday.
The matter with charge number Hu/20c/2026 Inspector General of Police vs Bernard Kama Inyama
was brought before Hon. Justice Chido Nwakanma, of the Abia State High Court in Umuahia the state capital.
Bernard Kama is number one in the charge sheet filed by the Police among those suspected to be linked to murder of Mr Igwe Akuma, a youth leader in Okun- Ohafia community.
The counsel to the defendant Chief Uche Ihediwa, (SAN) said his client was not in court because he was not duly served with the notice to appear in court.
He served the prosecutor a preliminary objection against the arraignment and asked the court to grant the other suspects bail.
However the Police prosecutor ACP Rimamsomte Ezekiel, argued that
Bernard Kama, was served since May 2026. He prayed the Court to him give the police another opportunity to serve Bernard Kama, even through his Whatsapp number.
The Judge however adjourned the matter to July 28, 2026 for the prosecution to respond to the preliminary objection and for possible arraignment, While eight others suspects were left in police custody.
Speaking shortly after the court sitting ACP Ezekiel
disclosed that the suspect, Benkama Inyama, allegedly ordered the killing of one Igwe Akuma following a dispute between them.
He said, “We came to court for arraignment and plea, but the defendant failed to appear. Instead, he sent his lawyer who filed a preliminary objection challenging the powers of the police to prosecute the matter without the fiat of the Attorney General.
“That application is just to waste the time of the court. Under Section 66(1) and (2) of the Police Act 2020, Section 104(c) of the Abia State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2017, and Sections 174 and 211 of the 1999 Constitution, the police have the power to prosecute criminal cases. We do not need the fiat of the Attorney General.”
He cited the Supreme Court decision in Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Osahon (2006) to back the position that the police can prosecute criminal cases from the lower courts to the Supreme Court without the Attorney General’s fiat.
The ACP added that the case is backed by an autopsy report and a confessional statement.
He described Benkama as the alleged architect of the offence, noting that the other eight defendants produced in court were his aides.
“He knows he has a case to answer. What he did is an offence against the state, against God, and against humanity. Whether he likes it or not, he must appear in court,” the prosecutor added.
He further disclosed that Benkama was served court processes in Abuja since May but refused to appear. He alleged that the suspect used the influence of some retired and serving senior police officers to avoid remand during investigation with an undertaking to appear in court, which he failed to honour.
Ezekiel assured that the police would do everything within their power to arrest Benkama and produce him in court on the next adjourned date.
