Justice Raphael Ajuwa of the Bayelsa State High Court on Monday ordered that George Idumange, popularly known as Pastor Brandy, the key suspect in the murder of 42 -year -old estate agent, Richard Ekpebu and four others be remanded in the correctional center in Yenagoa till April 14, 2026, when further hearing on the matter will resume.
The suspects were on Monday arraigned before the state high court on a 12-counts charge of conspiracy for murder, murder, illegal possession of firearms, armed robbery and destruction of evidence, among other charges.
Also arraigned along with Idumange, were his girlfriend, Miss Victory Bernard, a personnel with the Okaka Medium Correctional Centre, Ekiamene Amaoniye, aka Cash Money, Ibo Imaremi Gold, alias Police, and Henry Igwe.
After the charges in the suit numbered BYHC/YHC/CR/19/2026, were read to the accused persons, they all pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The presiding Judge, Justice Raphael Ajuwa, after listening to the arguments of the prosecuting counsel, E.J.Peterside and the defence counsels, granted the application of the state that the suspects be remanded at the Okaka Medium Correctional Center, Yenagoa, pending trial.
Also, the sister of the key suspect, identified as Queen Felix , who is the sixth accused, was however not in court.
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The prosecuting counsel told the court the sixth accused was initially granted administrative bail from her sick bed.
“She was very sick. And she is still not available and the surety is not available too. She is not actually charged with murder but forgery.she can be charged separately,” the counsel said.
Justice Ajuwa however, adjourned the case to April 14,15 and 16, 2026, after assurances from the state prosecuting team that they have a total of 20 witnesses and are ready to present them in court in batches of three per session.
It would be recalled that the late Ekpebu, a known estate agent, was murdered in cold blood over a land deal and his body dumped in a bush, along the New Otuoke Road, near Bayelsa Palm on July 24, 2025.
The police tactical team of the ‘Operation Puff Adder’ led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, following a thorough investigation in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Yenagoa, arrested five suspects over the killing.
