The President General of NICASA, Frank Onyekwelu, on Sunday told SaharaReporters that despite their objection to the court’s decision on the grounds that the four suspects are a flight risk and might run away, the court ignored their objection and granted three of the suspects bail, while it asked the fourth suspect to officially apply for bail.
The Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA) has expressed disappointment over the decision of a South African court to grant bail to South Africans arrested in connection with the killing of a 37-year-old Nigerian man identified as Julius Chukwunta.
The President General of NICASA, Frank Onyekwelu, on Sunday told SaharaReporters that despite their objection to the court’s decision on the grounds that the four suspects are a flight risk and might run away, the court ignored their objection and granted three of the suspects bail, while it asked the fourth suspect to officially apply for bail.
Onyekwelu told SaharaReporters that on Saturday December 7 while returning to his residence in Protea Estate Midrand, some men blocked the driveway.
“He approached them requesting to be allowed access to pass through but was met with strong resistance,” Onyekwelu said.
“He then left the guys and started approaching the security office in the complex to assist him in addressing the situation; it was at this instance that four guys pounced on him, attacked and left him bleeding with a heavy injury on his skull.”
Onyekwelu said that Chukwunta’s partner who was left sitting in the car hurried towards the security office only to find him bleeding on the ground.
“She called for help both from the complex residents and the security office but none could offer any assistance to help Mr Juluis, or to call the police or ambulance.
“She ended up calling her father after an hour of struggling without getting any help. Her father and other members of her family came and took him to the nearest hospital – Tembisa General Hospital where he was placed on oxygen life support due to excess loss of blood and severe injury on his head.
“On Tuesday 10th December 2024, Mr Juluis Friday Chukwunta (37yrs) succumbed to his injuries and died at Tembisa General Hospital. He hails from Aninri, Enugu State Nigeria,” he said.
He said that following Chukwunta’s death, a case of murder was opened by his partner with case no. 262/12/2024 at Midrand Police Station and the investigation team worked on the case, leading to the arrest of four male suspects aged 20, 24,27 and 28.
He said, “Their first appearance in court was on Friday, 13th December 2024 where they were charged with murder at Alexandra Magistrate Court. The case was postponed to Wednesday, 18th December 2024.
“NICASA national executives visited the residence of late Mr Julius Chukwunta in Midrand on Sunday, 15th December 2024 where they met with the partner, her elder sister and mother.
“A condolence message was conveyed to the family, we received from the family first-hand information on what transpired on that fateful day as narrated above.
“NICASA leadership assured them of our commitment in ensuring that the bereaved family gets justice and the culprits will face the full might of the law.
“Furthermore, NICASA leadership called the family of the deceased in Nigeria to comfort them over their loss, we spoke to the brother of the deceased.
“NICASA learnt that the mother of late Juluis is still in hospital on health challenges and that the family is going through a traumatic moment.
“The leadership of NICASA assured them of full commitment over this matter and promised to bring it to the attention of our Consulate and High Commission.”
Onyekwelu told SaharaReporters that on December 18, NICASA national executives were at Alexandra Magistrate Court to observe court proceedings as the four accused persons came to apply for bail.
He said, “Three out of the four accused were giving a bail of R10,000.00 (Ten Thousand Rand) each while the fourth person was asked to formerly apply for bail.
“There is a strong indication that the accused persons could be a flight risk should they be granted bail though this concern couldn’t stop the bail being granted.
“The case was postponed to 3rd February 2025. There was great disappointment on the faces of many Nigerians that came to court including the partner and her family as we began to see justice slip out of our hands.
“The NICASA President assured them that Nigerian Community will not sleep over this matter but must bring it to the attention of our Mission and Consulate for further engagements and support.
“Justice for late Mr Julius Friday Chukwunta will be the consolation for his family and assurance to Nigerians that our lives matter.”