Court Discharges 12 Persons Accused of Killing Police Officer in Rivers State, Awards N12m Against Police

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has discharged and acquitted twelve persons who were standing trial on thirteen counts of conspiracy and murder of a female Police Inspector, CHRISTIANA EREKERE. They are JOY UWHERAKA, SHIRLEY WEALTH, NAPOLEON UWHERAKA, EJIRO EJOGBAMU, MOSES AGEGE, PRECIOUS IYOT, KIKELOMO ODUSANYO, WEALTH OJOH, EFEOGHENE UWHERAKA, IGHOFOSE OKE, BLESSING OVIE and EMEKA JOSHUA. They were accused of killing Police Inspector EREKERE at the Taaba Police Division in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, on April 24, 2024, during a stop-and-search operation, while they were traveling to Akwa Ibom for a traditional marriage. Justice AUGUSTA CHUKWU held that the prosecution failed to prove the case of murder and conspiracy against the accused beyond reasonable doubt. Justice CHUKWU further held that the prosecution witnesses and evidence tendered by the prosecution did not show direct link to the twelve persons accused of committing the crime, and therefore discharged and acquitted them. The trial judge also awarded one million naira each in favour of the twelve discharged individuals as compensation for their unlawful arrest and detention, which was greet with a loud jubilation by the family members of the twelve persons. Outside the courtroom, lawyers on the defense team expressed satisfaction with the judgment, which they said reflects the rule of the court and Constitution of Nigeria On his part, the prosecution counsel, DICKSON CELESTINE, said the police authority will review the judgment to know the next line of action, as he expressed mix feelings about judgment.