In a tense courtroom atmosphere at the Regional Magistrate Court in Alexandra, South Africa, the Nigeria Union South Africa (NUSA) led a delegation to witness the initial proceedings in the case of Chukwunta Julius Friday, a Nigerian national who tragically lost his life on Tuesday, 10th of December, 2024 in South Africa.
The court session, which took place on December 13, 2024, saw four defendants facing charges related to Chukwunta Julius’ death. The case, initially presented in Court 1, was moved to Regional Court 2 for a formal bail hearing, highlighting the complexity and seriousness of the matter.
Bail Applications and Legal Maneuvering
The State Prosecutor opposed bail for the first defendant, a Zimbabwean national, pending verification of his legal status in South Africa. This development came after the prosecutor recently received the defendant’s identification document from his attorney.
Defence attorneys for two of the accused brought attention to their clients’ medical conditions:
- One defendant suffers from diabetes
- Another from asthma
Magistrate Boshoff assured that necessary documentation would be provided to ensure the defendants’ access to required medications while in custody.
Despite the defence’s push for immediate bail consideration, citing urgency, the presiding magistrate rejected the application. This decision was based on the need for background verification of the accused under Section 50(6) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.
NUSA’s Involvement and Community Support
Barrister Smart Nwobi, the President-General of NUSA, headed the legal delegation, which included:
- Attorney Anthonia Ndubuisi
- Attorney Elsie Ogounga
- Mr Buhari Daura, a consular officer from the Nigeria High Commission
The presence of various Nigerian community members at the court underscored the case’s significance to the Nigerian diaspora in South Africa.
Following the court proceedings, Barrister Nwobi addressed the Nigerian community, emphasizing the importance of:
- Registering with NUSA wards and branches
- Community integration
- Law-abiding behaviour
He stated, “Our administration’s legal team will closely monitor the case proceedings to ensure justice for our deceased brother, who suffered a fatal beating.”
Call for Visible Justice
In a powerful statement, the NUSA President-General called upon South African authorities, including the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Judiciary, and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), to demonstrate visible justice in this case. This appeal aims to discourage similar incidents in the future and foster a sense of security among the Nigerian community in South Africa.
The case has been adjourned to December 18, 2024, for the formal bail hearing. As tensions remain high, the Nigerian community in South Africa and NUSA continue to watch closely, hoping for a fair and just resolution to this tragic incident.
Learn more about NUSA’s efforts to protect Nigerian citizens in South Africa.
