A police officer standing trial over the death of 28-year-old Mene Ogidi has admitted that his shooting of the suspect was unjustified, according to evidence presented before the Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba.

The officer, ASP Usman Nuhu, also known as Ogbegbe, is the first of five defendants facing trial over Ogidi’s death.

The prosecution closed its case on Tuesday after calling six witnesses in the proceedings.

Officer gives conflicting accounts

According to evidence presented in court, Nuhu gave investigators different accounts of the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

In one statement, he reportedly said he shot Ogidi “by error,” while in another account, he said he acted “out of anger.”

Nuhu, however, reportedly admitted that the shooting was not justified.

He told investigators that he fired two rounds at Ogidi and maintained that the other police officers did not conspire with him to shoot the suspect.

Ogidi allegedly shot twice

Nuhu reportedly told investigators that he initially attempted to shoot Ogidi at the Effurun Motor Park but that his rifle failed to fire.

He said he later took Ogidi to the police office, where he allegedly shot him again in the right leg.

According to the account presented before the court, the Area Commander, ACP Aliyu Shaba, subsequently questioned Nuhu and ordered that Ogidi be taken to Ekpan General Hospital for treatment.

Nuhu said Ogidi was treated at the hospital before being taken back to the police office, where Shaba allegedly ordered that the officer be disarmed and detained.

Other officers allegedly witnessed shooting

The other four defendants reportedly told investigators that Nuhu shot Ogidi without provocation and allegedly fired at him again despite the intervention of the Area Commander.

A prosecution witness identified as Waziri also told the court that Nuhu’s colleagues had enough opportunity to prevent the shooting while he was disarming and reassembling his rifle.

The court further heard evidence from Dr Clement of Central Hospital, Warri, concerning the post-mortem examination conducted on Ogidi on May 4, 2026.

During the proceedings, Nuhu reportedly collapsed but was revived before the hearing continued.

Police had earlier ordered dismissal and prosecution

The case follows disciplinary action by the Nigeria Police Force after its internal review found that Nuhu had acted in violation of police regulations governing the use of firearms.

The Force Disciplinary Committee recommended the dismissal of Nuhu and other officers found culpable, with the Inspector-General of Police approving the recommendation and directing that the affected officers be handed over for prosecution after the administrative process.

The police described the incident as an unlawful and unprofessional use of a firearm and said the action amounted to a violation of the duty to protect life.

Defence prepares for next stage

Nuhu’s lawyer, Uche Chibugwu, told the court that the defence had thoroughly cross-examined the prosecution witnesses.

He said the defence would file Nuhu’s witness statement on oath before October 21 and disclosed that the defence would not file a bail application.

The Delta State Director of Public Prosecutions, Tejiri R. Anuwhi, said the prosecution was hopeful of securing a conviction, describing the evidence before the court as overwhelming.

Justice Michael Nduka Obi adjourned the case until October 21, 2026, for the defence to begin its case.

The defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court.