Some South Africans suspected to be behind the violent attacks on Nigerians in Durban and other areas were on Monday arraigned.
According to a statement by the Nigeria Consul General in Johannesburg, South Africa, Mr. Godwin Adama, the suspects were arraigned in a South African court.
The statement said that the trial was witnessed by the Consular officers from the Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg and the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria.
The trial of the suspects was adjourned till Monday, January 29.
The suspects were not granted bail but kept away in prison custody.
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The trial is in connection with the killing of a 27-year–old Nigerian, Ebuka Okori, who was killed by the police in Durban in the early hours of Friday
Okori was from Umunze in Orumba North Local Government of Anambra State.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Union Chapter in Kwazulu Natal Province of South Africa, Mr Bartholomew Eziagulu, said the union was informed that two police officers in mufti forcefully gained access to the victim`s house at Campbell Street in Durban at 2.am on Friday and demanded for money.
“When he refused, he was handcuffed, taken outside and shot dead. The officers took away his cell phone, e-passport and other valuable documents.
“The relative of the victim was tortured and robbed of his belongings while a third victim, a South African, was also robbed,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Consul General, while condemning the barbaric acts and call on the South African authorities to intervene and put an end to the ugly trend appealed to Nigerians to continue to be law abiding, stressing that they were working towards obtaining justice for the family of the deceased.
His words: “While we await the outcome of the judicial proceedings, we want to, once again, appeal for calm and rectitude among our nationals in the affected areas.”
