George Idumange, popularly known as Pastor Brandy, the prime suspect in the murder of a 42-year-old estate agent in Bayelsa State, Richard Ekpebu, alongside four others, was on Monday arraigned before the State High Court on a twelve-count charge.
The charges include conspiracy to commit murder, murder, illegal possession of firearms, armed robbery, and destruction of evidence, among others.
Also arraigned with Idumange were his girlfriend, Victory Bernard, 23; a personnel of the Okaka Medium Correctional Centre with a rank equivalent to Assistant Superintendent of Police, Ekiamene Amaoniye, also known as Cash Money; Ibo Imaremi Gold, alias Police, 34; and Henry Igwe, 35.
When the charges in suit number BYHC/YHC/CR/19/2026 were read, all the accused persons pleaded not guilty.
The presiding judge, Justice Raphael Ajuwa, after hearing submissions from the prosecuting counsel representing the state, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions, E. J. Peterside, and defence counsel, ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Okaka Medium Correctional Centre pending trial.
The sixth accused, identified as Queen Felix, who is the sister of the prime suspect, was not present in court.
The Directorate of Public Prosecutions stated that she was initially granted administrative bail on health grounds.
According to the DPP, she is not directly charged with murder but may face separate charges for forgery.
Justice Ajuwa adjourned the case to April 14, 15, and 16, following assurances from the prosecution that it has 20 witnesses ready to testify in batches.
Late Ekpebu, a real estate agent, was reportedly murdered over a land transaction, and his body was dumped in a bush along New Otuoke Road near Bayelsa Palm on July 24, 2025.
A police tactical team from Operation Puff Adder, led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, arrested the suspects following investigations carried out in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Yenagoa.
