BY Dayo Johnson

Akure-TWO policemen that shot dead Christopher Okawon and his un-named brother at Okitipupa area of Ondo State last week have been dismissed, even as one of them was Tuesday docked before an Akure Chief Magistrate Court.

The two brothers were commercial motorcycle (Okada) operators before their death.

Police Constable Igodih Gbefamoghan was docked for allegedly shooting and killing one Christopher Okawon at close range by the rifle allocated to him.

Gbefamoghan however in his statement, said he was defending himself from mob attack on the said day.

According to him, he only acted in self defence when it was obvious the mob was about to attack and disarm him.

The death of the two brothers sparked off violence in Okitipupa area of the state and it took the intervention of soldiers to quell the uprising in the town.

Youths in the town were prevented from setting the police station ablaze just as policemen in the town fled to different directions.

The charge read “ that you F/NO 445942 Pc Igodith Gbefamoghan ‘m’ on the 13th day of October,2011 at about 11:30pm along broad street Okitipupa in Okitipupa Magisterial district did kill one Christopher Okawon, a motorcyclist, by shooting him with AK47 service rifle, officially issued to you for Bank Guard duties and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 316 and punishable under section 319(1) of the Criminal Code cap 30 Vol 11, laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 1978.”

Police Prosecutor, Zakari Ibrahim said the court has no jurisdiction to try such capital offence. He asked the court to adjourn the case and allow the Police to duplicate the case file and forward it to the Ministry of Justice for legal advice.

Chief Magistrate Johnson Adelegan said that the killer cop be remanded in prison custody pending the time the Ministry of Justice would come up with its legal advice.

He thereafter adjourned the case for December 16 for hearing.