Soboma Murder Trial: Suspects Allege Torture

The three persons allegedly involved in the murder of the late militant  leader, Soboma George have accused the police of torture.

The suspects, Tombra Ogbe, Emmanuel Godstone and Pere Mathew were arraigned by the police shortly after the murder of late militant leader three years ago.

During the hearing of the case, last Thursday in Port Harcourt, the suspects who denied involvement in the murder said that they were tortured by the police to make confessional statements.

They said that they never participated in the alleged killings, but were forced by the police to state that they participated in the crime.

However, despite the denials, their statements were admitted as exhibits by the presiding judge, Hon Justice Godspower Aguma, who  also adjourned the matter to tomorrow, Tuesday August 6, for further hearing.

In an interview with newsmen, the lead counsel to the suspects, Barrister Ken Atsuette who had earlier opposed the admission of the suspects statements as exhibits said that he and his clients will prove to the court that the statements were obtained under duress.

However, counsel to the late Soboma Gorge family, Barrister Ipalibo Batoye declined to comment.

In his word: “as a former chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, former editor of The Tide and now a lawyer cannot comment on a matter that is before the court,” he said.