Eight Nigerian men arrested for allegedly att+cking police officers in South Africa, made their second appearance in court and are set to formally apply for bail at the end of this month.
The accused; Onogu Nwaemeka, Kelecho Oken, Ebot Kennedy, Chijioke Steven, Charles Aknaji, Umemba Sophuru, Amajoyi Tochukwu, and Charles Okerie Onyedikash, appeared in the Kimberley District Court on Friday, April 26, 2024, where the matter was postponed to April 30.
According to South African Police Service (SAPS), the incident occurred on Thursday night, April 18, 2024, when police officers were following up on information and whereabouts of a Nigerian national alleged to be in possession of dr¥gs. “While conducting this search, a large group of Nigerians att+cked police. Police fired rubber b¥llets to disperse the crowd,” said SAPS Northern Cape provincial spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers.
She said one suspect was arrested for illegal possession of dr¥gs, and three others were arrested for public v+olence and detained at the Kimberley police station. “During processing (inside the SAPS building), the suspects broke windows at the station. Additional charges of malicious d+mage to property were added,” said Ehlers. She said moments later, another group of Nigerians later approached the police station and thr£at£ned to retaliate. The operational commander warned the group to disperse. However, upon dispersing, the group d+maged police vehicles.
The accused made their first appearance in court and were remanded on April 22. They were arrested on charges of malicious injury to property, interference with the law, a§ gault, as well as public v+olence after they att+cked police officers at the Kimberley police station. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said police had arrested a Nigerian national and the men demanded he be released. Mayhem broke out as the police tried to contain the situation and the accused started to att+ck the police, as well as damage the state’s property, ” said NPA spokesperson in the Northern Cape, Mojalefa Senokoatsane.
Specialized tactical police reinforcements were called and the eight accused were arrested ” Senokoatsane explained that the matter was previously remanded for bail information, as well as further investigations. “During their second appearance, the court heard that outstanding information was needed to enable the state to decide on this matter going forward,” he said.
The men remain in custody and are due back in court later this month.
