Edo Charges AAU Lecturer, Ex-Chairman with Murder After Protest Interview
Mirian Gom 
Dr Ernest Nwoke, and Collins Aigbogun
BENIN CITY, Nigeria – The Edo State Government files fresh criminal charges against a senior lecturer of Ambrose Alli University, Dr Ernest Nwoke, and a former Esan West Local Government chairman, Collins Aigbogun, accusing them of murder, kidnapping and armed robbery following last month’s anti-kidnapping protest in Ekpoma.
The charges come weeks after both men regain temporary freedom through a pre-trial release granted by Justice Rita Irele-Ifijeh, following their initial arrest and three-week detention.
Dr Nwoke, a university lecturer, says he encounters the protest coincidentally during an early morning exercise and briefly grants an interview condemning kidnapping in Ekpoma before leaving the scene. The interview later circulated widely on social media.
Following the viral footage, state authorities arrest and remand Dr Nwoke and Aigbogun, who was later stripped of his political appointment. In a new development, prosecutors now accuse them and three others of crimes carrying severe penalties under Edo State law.
According to a charge sheet obtained by Africa Health Report, the Edo State Government, through the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, alleges that the suspects “aided armed robbery and kidnapping of residents of Ekpoma,” offences punishable under Section 64 of the Edo State Criminal Law, 2022.
The document further alleges that the defendants “did commit murder,” an offence punishable under Section 247 of the same law.
The five suspects are expected to be arraigned on Monday before Justice Ikwuemosi Awawu Dika, amid claims from sources close to the case that the prosecution will seek their continued remand.
Ekpoma has recorded rising insecurity, with reports indicating that about 65 people have been kidnapped within the past year, including medical doctors and students, while at least 13 victims are reported killed.
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Hussaini Ibrahim 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Koko Maxwella 
Otamere Gladness