Court shifts retired DIG Mbu’s alleged murder case to March 16

The Calabar High Court has fixed March 16, 2022, to adjudicate on claims of the jurisdiction in an alleged murder case filed by the Attorney General of Cross River against Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Joseph Mbu (rtd).

Justice Samuel Anjoh after listening to counterclaims by the Counsels Mr AganTeke for Mbu and Mr Cletus Adama for State AG over jurisdiction adjourned till March 16.

Teke, counsel to Mbu claimed that the AG had no reason to prosecute his client when the police were yet to conduct a proper investigation on the matter.

“In the first place, we were not properly served and we are also challenging the jurisdiction of the Court.

“The case took place in Etung Local Government Area where we have a division of the High Court, so there is no justification to bring the case to Calabar division.

“Therefore, the State High Court Calabar division lacked the jurisdiction to hear this case,, that is the basis of our counterclaims, ” he said.

In the charge sheet HC/40C/2021, the DPP alleged that the retired DIG killed one Mr Ayuk Ngon in December 2018 in Bendeghe Ekiem, Etung Local Government Area of Cross River.

According to the charge, this was “contrary to Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap C16, Vol. 3, Laws of Cross River State of Nigeria 2004”.