Aluu Four: Ex-sergeant, two others sentenced to death

An ex-Sergeant Lucky Orji, Ikechukwu Luis Amadi and David Chinasa Ogbonda. have been sentenced to death for killing four Students of the University of Port Harcourt, Ugonna Obuzor, Toku Lloyd, Chiadika Biringa and Tekena Elkanah popularly  called Aluu four.

Delivering the judgment,  Justice Letam Nyordee of a High Court in Port Harcourt blamed the accused persons for embarking on mob action without having the facts about the situation.

The Judge said the death of the four children was a culmination of the shameful failure of security institutions especially in the area of intelligence sharing, adding that the Police, the C4i and the Joint Military Task Force failed in their responsibilities.

“You are found guilty in line with Section 319 of the Criminal Code cap 9. of the Laws of Rivers state.”

He however, discharged and acquitted four other suspects facing trial; Abiodun Yusuf, Joshua Ekpe, Abang Cyril, and John Ayu, for lack of overwhelming evidence.

Speaking with newsmen, counsel to the convicted persons Ifedi said the decision of the court was based on findings of the investigation.

For his part, the obviously disappointed Director of Public Prosecutions, Ibikiri Otorubio said “What we can say is that the judge has done his part and we will do our own. We will study the judgment and take the next action,” he said.

Recall that Twelve people were standing trial for the murder of the four undergraduates, who were killed on October 5th, 2012 at Omokiri community, Aluu in Ikwerre Local government area of Rivers state, but five were discharged early this year.

Father of one of the killed students, Mike Torku expressed disappointment in the judgment,  but stated that they were consoled by the fact that the court has clear misconception about the character of the children.

He said they were grateful  that the matter which commenced since 2012 has come to an end and the children who were wrongly killed have been vindicated .