Court arrests eight Nigerian men accused of attacking police officers in South Africa

Eight Nigerian men detained for allegedly attacking police officers in South Africa have appeared in court for the second time and are expected to formally apply for bail later this month.

The accused; Onogu Nwaemeka, Kelecho Oken, Ebot Kennedy, Chijioke Steven, Charles Aknaji, Umemba Sophuru, Amajoyi Tochukwu and Charles Okerie Onyedikash appeared at the Kimberley District Court on Friday, 26 April 2024, where the matter was adjourned to 30 April .

The accused appeared in court for the first time and were detained on April 22.

They were arrested on charges of malicious damage to property, interfering with the law, assault and public violence after attacking police officers at Kimberley police station.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said police arrested a Nigerian national and the men demanded he be released.

LIB reported that the incident, according to the police, erupted from an incident in which police officers were monitoring information and the whereabouts of a Nigerian citizen allegedly in possession of drugs.

“Chaos broke out when the police attempted to contain the situation and the accused began attacking the police as well as damaging state property,” said NPA Northern Cape spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane.

“Specialized tactical police reinforcements were called and the eight defendants were arrested,”

Senokoatsane explained that the matter was previously detained for bail information as well as for further investigations.

“During the second hearing, the court heard that outstanding information was needed to allow the State to decide this matter in the future,” he said.

The men remain in custody and are due back in court later this month.

LIB further reported that the Nigerian Citizens in South Africa (NICASA) debunked the report that Nigerians attacked police officers and damaged a police station.

NICASA, in a statement released on Sunday, April 21, 2024, alleged that some Nigerians were victims of South African police brutality.

Source: www.lindaikejisblog.com