Abia community crisis: Prosecutor accuses suspect of using political backing to evade trial

The trial Chief Bernard Kama Inyama over the alleged murder of
Mr Igwe Akuma, a youth leader in Okun- Ohafia community in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State on January 2, 2026, has been adjourned to October 22, 2026, due to the absence of the principal defendant and a request by defense counsel.

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 for hearing on Tuesday.

Bernard Kama is number one in the charge sheet filed by the Police among those suspected to be linked to murder case.

Speaking to journalists after the court sitting, the police prosecutor in the case, the Police prosecutor ACP Rimamsomte Ezekiel,
said Benkama has refused to appear in court for the second consecutive time without any reason.

“This is the second adjournment. We don’t know his whereabouts and he has refused to come to court,” he said.

The case came up for hearing of a motion challenging the police’s jurisdiction to prosecute the matter.

According to the prosecutor, the defense team, led by a Senior Advocate, Chief Uche Ihediwa, (SAN) applied for an adjournment to late October or November, citing travel to Denmark for a program.

The prosecution opposed the long adjournment and urged the court to strike out an amended charge filed by the defense, saying it was not ripe for hearing.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter to October 22, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice, which the prosecution said it had already responded to.

ACP Ezekiel alleged that Benkama’s refusal to appear was an attempt to frustrate the case, claiming the suspect enjoys the backing of “some top senior politicians and retired and serving police officers.”

“No one is above the law. Justice must be done in this case. Whether he likes it or not, he must appear in court,” the prosecutor stated.

However, one of the defense counsel Barr. Ukpai Ukairo, said his client was never served with any court summons and accused the police of attempting to persecute him.

He added that the court adjourned the matter to October 22, 2026 to enable the defense respond to a counter-affidavit served by the prosecuting counsel a few days ago.

He dismissed claims that Benkama was avoiding court.

“Regrettably, an Assistant Commissioner of Police does not know what proper service of a summons is, because Ezie Ogo Benkama has never been served with any court summons. If Ezie Ogo Benkama was served with a summons, he would be the first person to be in court, because he is a law-abiding citizen,” he said.

Ukairo also faulted media reports suggesting that Benkama was at large after being served.

“Journalists in Abia State have been cajoled to make reports purporting that he was served with a summons and decided to be at large. Go to the court file. If you see any evidence or proof of service that Ezie Ogo Benkama was served, declare me a liar and I will stop practicing as a lawyer” he stated.

On the preliminary objection, the defense counsel said the charge was incompetent because a murder case ought to be referred to the Attorney General of the State or Federation for legal advice in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and Law.

“That procedural lapse is fundamentally wrong, and we are taking objection,” he said.

He further argued that none of the prosecution witnesses mentioned Benkama in their statements, adding that the police investigation report did not link him to the murder.

“You can apply for the certified true copy of the processes and underline any portion where any of the witnesses mentioned him. We are saying that charge should be quashed because he has no case to answer,” Ukairo added.

He noted that the police earlier filed an amended charge removing Benkama’s name, but were now reverting to the old charge.

“It shows the police were induced to bring him in,” he said.