Rita Enemuru, Reporting
A driver standing trial for the alleged murder of a Delta-based bishop, Clarence Chinedu Okonkwo, was employed barely three weeks before the cleric was reportedly killed, a prosecution witness has told the Delta State High Court.
The witness, Pastor Tippa Wealth, who owns the recruitment agency through which the defendant, Uchenna Nicholas Obiagwu, secured the job, gave the testimony on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Ibusa Judicial Division of the court.
Wealth told the court that he recruited Obiagwu and assigned him to work as a driver for the late bishop.
According to him, he received a telephone call barely three weeks after the defendant resumed work, informing him that Obiagwu had allegedly killed his employer.
The prosecution, led by the Delta State Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Omamuzo Erebe, SAN, presented Wealth as its first witness before Justice Hilda Akpotohwo.
Obiagwu is facing trial over the alleged murder of Okonkwo, popularly known as Clarence James, who was reportedly killed at his residence in Ibusa, near Asaba, on May 12, 2026.
The prosecution alleged that the bishop was attacked and beaten to death with a pestle before the defendant fled with his Toyota Land Cruiser and mobile phones.
The defendant and his brother were subsequently arrested in Nkpor, Anambra State, while allegedly attempting to sell the vehicle for N10 million.
During police interrogation, Obiagwu reportedly claimed that armed kidnappers forced him to participate in the attack, blindfolded him and gained access to the bishop’s residence.
The case was adjourned until November 26, 2026, for continuation of hearing, with the prosecution expected to call four additional witnesses.
The allegations against the defendant remain subject to proof before the court.
