Twenty-five-year-old Nigerian national, Bethel Ikena Chimezie, was remanded to prison for allegedly attempting to murder a presidential guard and discharging a loaded firearm.
Chimezie was arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court today before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. He was not required to plead to the murder charge but denied discharging a loaded firearm.
It is alleged that on December 15, 2022, Chimezie attempted to murder Presidential Guard Telon Perreira. It is also alleged that on the same day, he discharged a loaded firearm in the direction of another officer.
The case of the prosecution is that on the day of the incident, Chimezie, who was an attendant at the COVID-19 Hospital in Liliendaal, arrived at the southeastern guard hut at the official residence of the first family around 7:30 am requested to have a meeting with the president.
Guards on duty requested from Chimezie whether he had an appointment with the President and was thereafter asked to have a seat until the information he provided could be verified.
The prosecution’s case outlines that the accused subsequently became agitated and pulled a knife from the waist of his pants, stabbing Perreira five times.
The court then heard that he allegedly grabbed the officer’s gun and discharged several rounds before he was shot by other presidential guards.
The court also heard that the immigration status of Chimezie is valid until February 23, 2023. Chimezie was then remanded to prison until January 26 for statements.
