Ogidi Trial: Usman Nuhu Reportedly Faints in Court as Prosecution Opens Case

The incident occurred as the Delta State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN, formally opened the prosecution’s case before the Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba.

The prosecution appeared in court with its witnesses and commenced its presentation through opening statements, setting out the case it intends to establish against the defendants.

The hearing was attended by members of the deceased’s family, officials of the Nigeria Police Force from the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the pathologist who conducted Ogidi’s autopsy and the secretary of the Effurun motor park where the incident occurred.

Nuhu, who was previously arraigned alongside four other officers, is facing a one-count charge of murder, while the other defendants — ASP Owoloko Daurou Pamo, ASP Okoh Kelechi, Inspector Goodluck Kingsley and Inspector Omonigho Ahweyevu — are facing charges relating to negligent acts causing harm.

The five defendants had pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them. The case arose from the April 26, 2026 incident at the Effurun Main Motor Park in Uvwie Local Government Area, where Ogidi was fatally shot during an encounter with the police.

Previous proceedings established that the prosecution is being led by the Delta State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, who had pledged that the state would diligently pursue the case. The defendants were subsequently brought before Justice M. Nduka of the Delta State High Court 4, Asaba Judicial Division.

Following the prosecution’s opening of its case, October 21, 2026 has been fixed for the defence to commence its presentation.
The progression of the trial marks a significant stage in the judicial process, with the prosecution expected to call witnesses and tender relevant documentary and forensic evidence in support of its allegations.

The presence of the pathologist who conducted the autopsy is particularly significant as the medical evidence may form part of the prosecution’s effort to establish the cause and circumstances of Ogidi’s death.

A fresh development in the case is the reported arrest of the second vigilante who was allegedly present alongside Nuhu at the time of the incident.

According to information from the proceedings, the two vigilantes are expected to face separate proceedings in relation to their alleged involvement, with the allegations against them reportedly centring on their role as accessories to the alleged offence.

The reported arrest broadens the scope of the investigation beyond the five police officers already before the court and could lead to additional proceedings arising from the circumstances surrounding Ogidi’s death.

Months after his death, Ogidi’s remains have reportedly not been released for burial and are still being kept at the mortuary.

The continued detention of the remains has added another layer to the anguish of the deceased’s family, who have remained closely involved in the prosecution.

The case has attracted significant public attention since a video showing the circumstances surrounding Ogidi’s fatal shooting emerged online. The Nigeria Police Force subsequently took disciplinary action against the officers, while the matter was transferred to the courts for criminal prosecution. Reports at the time confirmed that Nuhu and the four other officers were dismissed from the Force before being arraigned.

As the trial proceeds, the prosecution will now be required to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt, while the defendants remain entitled to the presumption of innocence until the court determines otherwise.