Police Officer Confesses Shooting Was Wrong

The prosecution closed its case on Tuesday against five people in the trial over Oghenemine Ogidi's death at the Delta State High Court in Asaba. They called six witnesses to testify.

The first defendant, ASP Usman Nuhu, also known as Ogbegbe, gave different stories to the investigators about the shooting. He said in one statement that he shot Ogidi "by error" and in another that he shot him "out of anger."

Nuhu admitted that the shooting was not justified. He said, "The other policemen did not conspire with me to shoot the suspect. My shooting of the suspect was not justified. I fired two rounds at the suspect."

He explained that he first shot Ogidi at the Effurun Motor Park after his rifle failed to fire at first. Nuhu claimed he took Ogidi to the police office, where he shot him again in the right leg.

Nuhu said the Area Commander, ACP Aliyu Shaba, questioned him and told them to take Ogidi to Ekpan General Hospital for treatment. After Ogidi was treated, he was brought back to the police office where the Area Commander ordered that he be disarmed and detained.

The other four defendants told investigators that Nuhu shot Ogidi without any reason and fired at him again even after the Area Commander intervened. The court also heard from Dr Clement of Central Hospital, Warri, who spoke about the post-mortem examination done on Ogidi on May 4, 2026.

Prosecution witness Waziri said Nuhu's colleagues had enough time to stop him from shooting Ogidi while he was disarming and putting his rifle back together. During the hearing, Nuhu collapsed but was revived before the session continued.

Nuhu’s lawyer, Uche Chibugwu, said they had thoroughly cross-examined the prosecution witnesses. He mentioned that they would file Nuhu’s witness statement on oath before October 21. He also said they would not file a bail application.

Tejiri R. Anuwhi, the Delta State Director of Public Prosecutions, expressed hope for a conviction. He said, "We are hopeful of a conviction at the end of the trial. The evidence before the court is quite overwhelming, and we hope that justice will be done for the victim and for all citizens."

Justice Michael Nduka Obi has adjourned the case until October 21, 2026, for the defence. The defendants are still presumed innocent until the court finds them guilty.