A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has ordered the remand of two dismissed police officers in connection with the killing of 22-year-old Anthony Obodo, a University of Port Harcourt graduate.
The officers, Corporal Alfred Louis and Michael Ejekwu, were brought before Chief Magistrate Helen Hardy following disciplinary action taken by the Nigeria Police Force over the August 27, 2026 incident.
Obodo was killed around the Ada George Junction area of Port Harcourt during an encounter with a police patrol team.
According to TheNigeriaLawyer, the charge was not read to the two defendants during Thursday’s proceedings and consequently no plea was taken.
Chief Magistrate Hardy ordered that they be remanded at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre and directed that the case file be forwarded to the Chief Registrar for reassignment.
The matter was adjourned until September 22, 2026, for plea and possible commencement of trial.
The proceedings, however, drew concern from the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch.
Chairman of the Branch, Dr. Chinedu Maduba, said the NBA was dissatisfied that only two officers were produced before the court despite other police personnel being linked to the incident.
Maduba said he subsequently contacted the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, for clarification.
According to him, the Commissioner explained that one of the officers whose case had not proceeded to court was an Assistant Superintendent of Police and that the necessary disciplinary process required further action involving the Police Service Commission.
Another officer linked to the incident was reportedly at large and had been declared a deserter.
The NBA Port Harcourt Chairman said the Branch would continue to follow developments in the case to ensure justice for the deceased while also safeguarding the due-process rights of the defendants.
The Rivers State Police Command had earlier announced disciplinary action against officers found implicated following its internal investigation into Obodo’s death.
The case has intensified public scrutiny of police use of force and renewed demands for accountability where law-enforcement personnel are accused of unlawful killings.
The allegations against the defendants remain subject to proof before a competent court.
READ MORE: NBA Gives Update on Killing of Anthony Obodo
