Three Nigerian nationals, Micheal Ifunaya Churwdiken, Agbaze Ugochuku and Collins Chidoke, accused of murdering a British national, Ian Stokes, at Bakoteh Junction Bar on 13 May 2012, Monday appeared before the Special Criminal Court in
When the case was called, the court asked the accused persons whether they have a lawyer, and they said they did not have the means to hire one.
Justice Emmanuel Nkea then referred their case to the Legal Aid Agency for legal representation, and ordered the state to file their bill of indictment.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, S.H Barkun, told the court they were yet to receive the case diary from the police.
At that juncture, the case was adjourned till 4th June 2012, for mention and hearing.
The accused persons were first arraigned at the lower court in Kanifing and charged with four counts of conspiracy to murder, kidnapping or abducting in order to murder, murder and robbery with violence.
According to the particulars of offence on count one, on 13 May 2012, at Bakoteh Junction Bar in the
Count two stated that they jointly kidnapped or wrongfully confined Ian Stokes, a British national, in his house with intent to cause danger to him.
The charge sheet on count three read that they murdered or caused the death of Ian Stokes by stabbing him all over his body.
Furthermore, count four stated that they jointly robbed Ian Stokes of his mobile phone, whose value is unknown, and immediately before taking the said mobile phone, used actual violence by stabbing him all over his body.
