By Jane Okafor, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ordered the remand of two children of slain Abuja businessman, Adimike Godwin, and a family friend at the Suleja Correctional Centre over their alleged involvement in his murder.
The defendants — Adimike Odirachukwu Anthony, Adimike Chinyere Stephany and Comfort Ajibade — were arraigned by the FCT Police Command before Justice of FCT High Court 13 on a four-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and offences under the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act.
The court ordered that the three remain in custody pending the hearing of the case and adjourned proceedings until September 30, 2026.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, the case stemmed from the killing of Adimike Godwin on May 15, 2026, at his residence in Guzape, Abuja.
Police said the investigation began after a relative reported that repeated efforts to contact the businessman had failed. Detectives who responded to the distress call reportedly found him unconscious in his room with multiple stab wounds. He was rushed to Karu General Hospital, where doctors confirmed him dead.
The statement said the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, immediately directed a comprehensive investigation, leading to the arrest of five suspects, including the deceased’s son, daughter, driver, gateman and Ajibade.
However, following the conclusion of investigations, only Anthony, Stephany and Ajibade were charged before the court, while the driver and gateman were not included in the prosecution.
According to the charge sheet, the three defendants allegedly conspired to commit culpable homicide and were responsible for the death of the businessman.
The prosecution also accused Anthony of entering into a same-sex civil union, while Stephany and Ajibade were jointly charged with entering into a same-sex civil union, contrary to the provisions of the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act.
The development comes weeks after the deceased’s widow, Lovelyn Chizoba Adimike, alongside Anthony, Stephany and Ajibade, instituted a fundamental rights enforcement suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleging unlawful detention and violation of their constitutional rights by the Nigeria Police Force and other respondents.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1149/2026, the applicants sought their release from custody, enforcement of their fundamental rights and an order restraining the police from further actions they described as unconstitutional.
They also urged the court to grant bail to Anthony, Stephany and Ajibade or, alternatively, direct the police to release them or charge them before a competent court if a prima facie case existed against them.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command said it remains committed to ensuring justice for victims of crime while respecting the constitutional rights of all persons throughout the judicial process.
