.To die by hanging, lethal injection
Justice Sika Aprioku of Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, yesterday, convicted and sentenced five people to death by hanging or injecting them with lethal substances until they are confirmed dead for murder and kidnapping.
The convicts are Okechukwu Orji of Atali community in Obio/Airport, Igwe Promise, Iheanyi Igwe and Morrison Igwe all from Omudioga in Emohua Local Council of Rivers State as well as Goodness Monday from Akwa Ibom State.
They were found guilty of 10-count charge of conspiracy, cultism, murder of a local vigilante commander of Omudioga community in Emohua Local Council of the state, identified as Umezurike Alex and illegal possession of firearms.
In his judgment, Justice Aprioku, however, discharged and acquitted the sixth defendant , Alex Deiwe.
The judge held that the prosecuting counsel, Essien Edet proved his case against the convicts on charges of conspiracy, cultism, illegal possession of firearms and murder.
He, therefore, convicted and sentenced them by hanging or administration of lethal injection until they die.
The court also held that the convicts did not only murder the vigilante commander, but were also involved in kidnapping and other criminal activities in parts of the state before their arrest and commencement of prosecution.
Speaking to newsmen outside the courtroom, Edet, who is the Officer in charge of legal annex, Directorate of Finance and Administration (DFA), Rivers State Police command, expressed happiness over the judgment.
He described it as justice well served, which will also serve as a deterrent to others who are involved in such crimes.
The Guardian learnt that the late vigilante commander was killed and beheaded in 2021, while other parts of his body were dismembered by cultists, for fighting against criminal activities in the area.
