A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has delivered a landmark judgment in the brutal murder of the former Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada East, SP Bako Angbashim, sentencing four individuals to death by hanging.
The late SP Angbashim, a highly regarded officer known for his relentless pursuit of criminal elements, was ambushed and killed in September 2023 in the Odumude community of Ahoada East Local Government Area. The heinous act garnered national outrage after members of a cult group decapitated the officer and circulated gruesome footage of the incident on social media.
The Convictions and Judicial Findings
In a session held on Thursday, the presiding judge, Justice Sika Aprioku, found four of the thirteen defendants guilty of conspiracy, murder, membership of a secret cult, and robbery. Those sentenced to death are:
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Robinson Sonabari: Identified as a native doctor.
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Bright Okparawo: The second defendant.
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Precious Amaeze (alias Selina): The fourth defendant.
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Loveday Jack (alias Ragged Excess): The fifth defendant.
The court held that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Notably, the evidence established that Robinson Sonabari, the native doctor, played a critical role in the conspiracy by preparing the charms used by the gang during the fatal attack on the DPO.
Verdicts for Other Defendants
While the primary conspirators faced the ultimate penalty, the court delivered varied verdicts for the remaining defendants:
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Conspiracy Conviction: The sixth defendant, Samuel Nwadinma, was found guilty of conspiracy and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
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Acquittal: The third defendant was discharged and acquitted of all four counts, including murder and cultism, as the court found the evidence insufficient to secure a conviction.
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Time Served: The ninth to thirteenth defendants, Famous Okechukwu, Samuel Uchendu, Oyekachi Ikonwa, Godbless Nnamdi, and Marshall Daniel, were found guilty of membership of a secret cult. however, Justice Aprioku ruled that they had already served the statutory terms prescribed by law during their period in custody and ordered their release.
The judgment is seen as a significant victory for the Rivers State Police Command and the rule of law. SP Angbashim’s death had initially sent shockwaves through the force, prompting a massive manhunt for the cultists responsible for the desecration of the officer.
Justice Aprioku’s ruling reinforces the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring that those who orchestrate and execute attacks on law enforcement agents face the full weight of the law. The sentencing of the native doctor, in particular, highlights the court’s stance on those who provide logistical or spiritual support to criminal enterprises.
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