A Rivers State Excessive Courtroom sitting in Port Harcourt has discharged and acquitted 12 persons accused of killing Police Inspector Christiana Erekere at the Taaba Police Division in Khana Local Council.
The accused: Pleasure Uheraka, Shirley Wealth, Napoleon Uheraka, Ejiro Ejogbamu, Moses Agege, Valuable Iyota, Kikelomo Odusanyo, Wealth Ojoh, Efeoghene Uheraka, Ighofose Oke, Blessing Ovie and Emeka Joshua, have been arraigned on a 13-count cost bordering on conspiracy and homicide.
The alleged crime occurred on April 25, 2024, when the defendants have been mentioned to be travelling from Delta State to Akwa Ibom State for a marriage.
Delivering judgment, Justice Augusta Chukwu held that the prosecution did not show the case of homicide and conspiracy past an inexpensive doubt. She famous that the testimonies and proof offered didn’t set up any direct hyperlink between the defendants and the alleged offence.
The courtroom subsequently discharged and acquitted all 12 defendants and awarded N1 million every as compensation for his or her illegal arrest and detention.
Relations of the acquitted individuals rejoiced after the decision was delivered. Talking with journalists, the defence counsel welcomed the judgement, describing it as a triumph of justice and due course of. Nevertheless, the prosecuting counsel, Dickson Celestine, mentioned the police would evaluation the ruling earlier than deciding on the subsequent line of motion.
