A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has convicted and sentenced four of the 13 defendants standing trial over the killing of former Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada East Police Division, SP Bako Amgbasim, to death by hanging.
Justice Sika Aprioku, who delivered the judgment, held that the prosecution proved beyond a reasonable doubt the offences of conspiracy, murder, membership of a secret cult group, and robbery against the four convicts.
The court sentenced the first defendant, Robinson Sonabari; the second, Bright Okparawo; Precious Amaeze, also known as Selina; and Loveday Jack, alias Ragged Excess, to death by hanging.
A sixth defendant, Samuel Nwadinma, was convicted and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for conspiracy.
The court, however, discharged and acquitted the third accused person on the four-count charge of conspiracy, murder, membership of a secret cult group and robbery.
Justice Aprioku also discharged Famous Okechukwu, Samuel Uchendu, Oyekachi Ikonwa, Godbless Nnamdi and Marshal Daniel, who were among the ninth to 13th defendants. Although they were found guilty of membership of a secret cult group, the court held that they had already served the statutory term in a correctional facility.
SP Amgbasim was killed in September 2023 in Ahoada. He was serving as the Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada East at the time of the incident.
Speaking after the judgment, lead prosecution counsel from the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Chigozie Amadi, alongside Celestine Dickson, who represented the Nigeria Police in the joint prosecution, commended the court for its decision.
The elder brother of the deceased officer, Akasco Amgbasim, expressed appreciation to the judiciary, the Rivers State Government, and the Nigeria Police for their roles in the prosecution, describing the judgment as significant for the family.
The four convicts were among 73 persons initially arraigned before the Rivers State High Court by a joint prosecution team comprising the Department of Public Prosecutions and the Rivers State Police Command.
During the trial, 61 defendants, including traditional ruler Eze Ekpeye Logbo, Eze Kelvin Anukwo, and a former Ahoada East Council Chairman, Cassidy Ikegbidi, were discharged and acquitted for lack of evidence linking them to the crime.
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