By Davies Iheamnachor
Mrs Uchenna Jenna Onwukwe, widow of Mr Chidi Onwukwe who was murdered in Port Harcourt, 2021, has told court handling the murder case that her late husband was stabbed several and shot.
Uchenna, who spoke Fon riday when the court resumed hearing in the murder trial, told the court that she saw her husband’s corps with many wounds left on him by the killers.
Samuel Onwukwe, Promise George
and Blessed Onyekachi Nathan are in suit PHC/667/CR/2022 standing trial over the murder of Chidi in Port Harcourt his Port Harcourt home.
It would be recalled that the court had adjourned to hear the bail application of the three suspects on the 15th, 16th of December and 27th January, just after they were remanded in the Correctional Centre.
But when the court resumed hearing on Friday, 27th, the bail application could not be taken becaused one of the counsels has not responded to the bail application.
However, the court took witness statement of the complainant in the matter, Uchenna, following the prosecution counsel, Essien Edet’s notification to court that a witness was in court for commencement hearing.
Uchenna, who was admitted on oath as PW1 told the court that the killer of her husband used her kitchen knife in carrying out the act.
She narrated: “On the 27th of January 2021 I received a phone call from one Amarachi Nduagwu, that my late husband Mr. Chidi John Onwukwe has been stabbed to death.”
“When I got the call I set out for Port Harcourt. On getting to my address in Port Harcourt. I met Samuel Onwukwe (1st defendant) who lives with my husband. When he saw me, he welcomed me with a smile on his face. I became confused whether the call was a prank.”
“I entered the house and I did not see my husband. I now asked Mr. Samuel, where is my husband, he answered that he has been deposited at the military hospital mortuary.”
“I went to the guest room where Samuel said my husband slept that night. On entering the room, I noticed that the room was totally mopped and cleaned.”
“I saw a knife on the table, the knife was also clean. The knife was my kitchen knife. I asked Samuel who kept the knife on the table. He said it was the robbers that took the knife from my kitchen and left it. Samuel Onwukwe said it was the knife they used to stab him.”
“I called the policemen that came with us from Elelenwo and showed them the knife. They took the knife. I requested to see the corpse, they took me to the military hospital.”
“I saw his body with several wounds. The mortuary attendant said he was not only stabbed but that he was also shot. They brought out some bullets and gave to the police.”
However, the trial Judge, Justice Sylvester Popnen, adjourned till 10th,16th and 17th February, 2023, for continuation of trial.