Two police officers dismissed over the alleged killing of 22-year-old University of Port Harcourt graduate, Anthony Obodo, have been remanded at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre.
The officers—Corporal Alfred Louis and Police Constable Michael Ejekwu—were brought before a Port Harcourt Magistrates’ Court on Thursday on a remand warrant.
They are among four policemen dismissed in connection with Obodo’s death at Ada George Junction, Port Harcourt, on August 27. 
The other officers are Assistant Superintendent of Police Fabian Kpeanabari and Inspector Solomon Nworgu. While Kpeanabari was not brought before the court, Nworgu is reportedly still at large.
The magistrate ordered Louis and Ejekwu to be remanded at the correctional centre and directed that the case file be forwarded to the Chief Registrar for reassignment.
The matter was adjourned until September 22, when the defendants are expected to enter their pleas.
Speaking outside the courtroom, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch, Chinedu Maduba, questioned why only two of the officers allegedly involved had been brought to court.
Maduba said he contacted the Rivers State Commissioner of Police for clarification and was informed that Kpeanabari, an ASP, could not be arraigned until his dismissal was ratified by the Police Service Commission.
He said the police authorities had assured him that the process would be expedited to enable Kpeanabari to face the court.
The development follows growing public outrage over Obodo’s death, which sparked protests and renewed calls by his family for justice.
Obodo was reportedly shot at about 5pm on August 27 after he allegedly failed to stop when police officers flagged down his vehicle at Ada George Junction.
An eyewitness said one of the officers fired at the vehicle, hitting Obodo. The vehicle subsequently veered off control and reportedly struck three people.
Obodo’s father, Princewill Obodo, has alleged that his son was deliberately targeted and demanded justice.
He also claimed that the officers had initially been deployed to provide security during the recently concluded Nigerian Bar Association conference at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, before being redeployed to the area where his son was killed.
