The Enugu State Government has discharged Godwin Odey from a murder charge earlier preferred against him, following a review by the state’s Attorney General.
The Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Osinachi Nnajieze, formally discontinued the murder case instituted by the Enugu State Police Command, bringing relief to civil society organisations that had described the allegation as unfounded.
Despite the development, Mr. Odey remains in custody at the Enugu Correctional Centre over a separate charge of alleged unlawful possession of Indian hemp, which police said was recovered from a commercial vehicle in which he was travelling at the time of his arrest.
Background of the Case
Mr. Odey, an OND graduate of Banking and Finance from Benue Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, was arrested on September 20, 2025, while attempting to return to Abuja after attending a traditional marriage ceremony in Obollo-Afor, Udenu Local Government Area.
He had travelled from Abuja with friends on September 19, 2025, to attend the traditional wedding of Morgan Paul Odeh and Loveth Chisom Ikechukwu. Eyewitnesses said the group arrived in Obollo-Afor around 5:00 p.m. and participated in the ceremony the following day.
Later that evening, while heading to the motor park to catch a night bus back to Abuja due to work commitments, they were reportedly arrested during a police stop-and-search operation linked to investigations into the killing of Mathew Eya.
Following a search of the vehicle, marijuana was allegedly found. Mr. Odey was subsequently charged alongside persons he reportedly did not know with the murder, and arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Enugu on September 24, 2025. He was remanded in custody under charge numbers MEN/566C/2025 and MEN/565C/2025.
Civil Society Intervention
Civil society organisations, including the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN) and the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), petitioned the Office of the Attorney General, urging a review to prevent what they described as a miscarriage of justice.
Following the review, the Attorney General exercised his constitutional powers to discontinue the murder charge against Mr. Odey.
Rights Groups React
Reacting to the decision, CRRAN President, Olu Omotayo, Esq., and RULAAC Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, commended the Attorney General for what they described as courage and commitment to justice.
They, however, expressed concern over Mr. Odey’s continued detention on the alleged unlawful possession charge, noting that the matter is pending before a Magistrate Court in Enugu and reportedly adjourned to November 2026.
According to them, the length of the adjournment raises serious concerns about fair trial rights and due process, warning that justice delayed could amount to justice denied.
The organisations said they would continue to monitor the case closely and take appropriate steps to ensure that Mr. Odey’s rights are fully protected.
