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A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt has ordered that the commander of a vigilante group in the Rundele community, Emuoha local government area of Rivers State, Nyeche Ajuru be remanded at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre.

This followed his arraignment on Monday by the Rivers State Police Command on a three-count charge of illegal possession of a firearm, arson and murder.

When the case was mentioned in Court, the suspect could not take his plea, as the presiding Chief Magistrate, Amadi Nna declined to hear the matter for lack of jurisdiction.

Chief Magistrate Nna sighted a session of the Firearm Act and Criminal Code of the state.He then directed that the case file be transmitted to the Department of Public Prosecution for advice or the accused should seek his bail at the State High Court.He, however, ordered that the accused be remanded in the Port Harcourt Correctional Center.

Recall that Ajuru, Commander of the Onelgha Security Peace, Advisory Committee codenamed OSPAC in Rundele, Emuoha LGA was arrested in Aluu, outskirts of Port Harcourt in possession of one AK-47 rifle, with 23 rounds of live ammunition, a police cap, and police Identity card, as well as charms.The State Commissioner of Police, Emeka Nwonyi, had paraded Ajuru before newsmen on June 26, 2023, saying the latter confessed to having engaged the Army in Ndele, Emuoha LGA where two soldiers were killed.

Nwonyi also said Ajuru had expressed readiness to disclose all necessary information that will assist the Police in its investigations.