Murder of Nigerian Student: Investigation completed, 5 suspects sent to prison for 3 months, 2 suspects released on bail pending final trial

Investigation into the murder of 28-year-old Nigerian student, Kennedy Taomwabwa Dede on January, 29 by seven suspects has been completed as five of the suspects were given three months prison sentence before their case will be heard while two others were released on bail.

Five of the suspects, Zanlılar Nidai Şanlı, 22, Zekeriya Founder, 22, Ozan Körkurt, 18, Onur Körkurt, 21 and Simge Dağdur, 17, were sent to the Lefkosa central prison for three months for charges of murder, abduction and serious assault, while two other suspects, Aydan Sel, 28 and Burcu Çelik, 16 both female were released on bail after they were found not connected with the murder and a case of negligence brought against them. 

They will all be tried for the charges brought against them when their three months prison sentence expires.

Before Friday's judgement, the suspects have been brought to court on five occasion amid heavy security presence for over a month.

Suspects brought to court

Kennedy was kidnapped by 7 people on Monday, January, 29 from his residence in Famagusta and taken to the Çanakkale lake in the outskirt of the city in his car, where he was seriously beaten and killed.

His body was later found at the lake on Tuesday January, 30 following which 7 people including three teenagers were arrested and charged to a Famagusta court for murder, human abduction and serious assault.

Kennedy's body found on the Çanakkale pond

Police investigation later revealed that Kennedy was murdered over 1000TL loan. During the investigation, police said they gathered over 190 statements and testimonies, retrieved deleted messages and screened 142 phone conversations.

Court Judge Gökhan Asafoğlular delivering the prison sentence noted that the suspects had been sentenced to no more than three months for murder, serious assault and human abduction cases brought against them, pointing out that murder crime require an imprisonment and will be discussed at the court.

Zanlılar Aydan Sel and Burcu Çelik were ordered to pay a bond over the case of negligence brought against them for not preventing such a serious crime.

They are to pay 7,000 Turkish Lira, provide two sureties which must be citizens of the TRNC with 75,000 TL bond. In addition, their travel documents and ID cards were seized.

Police also revealed that one of the murder suspects, Simge Dağdur, 17, a female had attempted suicide while in police custody this morning and was rushed to the Famagusta state hospital but is in good condition.

Before his untimely death, Kennedy was an Architecture student at the Eastern Mediterranean University in Famagusta and has represented and won medals for the university in several sporting events.

Kennedy representing EMU in a sporting event

Since his death, series of protests has been organized by the Nigerian communities across various universities in Cyprus.

Nigerian students protest his killing in Famagusta

A candle light ceremony was held in his honor on Friday February, 17 at the EMU Chapel, Famagusta with his father, Makatai Peter Dede and sister Miriam Dede in attendance.

Candle light service at EMU Chapel in his honour

His body was later flown to Nigerian for burial.