Rivers State Government through the state Ministry of Justice has taken over the criminal prosecution of a police officer, Inspector Isaiah Bene, who allegedly shot dead a young musician, identified as Daniel Chibuike-Ikeaguchi popularly called Slick in the state.
The taking over of the criminal proceeding by the state government followed the victory of the family of late Slickin a judgement against the police in a fundamental rightssuit where the High Court awarded the total sum of N50million as compensation in favour of the family for the violation of the right of the victim.
When the criminal matter came up in court, last Friday, one of the friends of late Slick, Paul Reuben, who was a witness in the matter during cross-examination, told the court that the police inspector was responsible for the killing of his friend.
The Tide reports that the trial Judge, Justice S.O.Benson, after listening to the witness, adjourned till January 24 and 31, and April 6, 2022, for continuation of cross-examination.
In a related development, the state government has approached a state High Court to take over the prosecution of one Pastor Chidiebere Okoroafor, the pastor of a new generation church residing in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state, who is standing trial for allegedly murdering three worshipers in his church, including his Choir Mistress, late Miss Orlunma Nwagba, who he allegedly impregnated before killing her in 2017.
It would be recalled that operatives of Rivers State Police Command had on December 17, 2017, arrested one Pastor Chidiebere Okoroafor following alarm raised by the husband of Chigozie Ezenwa, who was killed alongside her daughter, Cresabel Ezenwa and her friend, Orlunma Nwagba, all worshipers in his church.
The police had after parading the suspect, who is the founder of Alter of Solution Church, Oyigbo, subsequently charged him to court, and immediately commenced the prosecution before the intervention of the state government through the Ministry of Justice.
When the matter came up for cross-examination, the police prosecution team led by Inspector Dan Promise told the court that they found the dead bodies of the victims in different locations within Eberi in Afam area of Oyigbo.
The trial judge, Justice S. O. Benson, after listening to the cross-examination, adjourned till today and January 31, 2022, for continuation of cross-examination of witnesses.
Joseph Ezenwa, who is Chigozie’s husband, in an interview with The Tide outside the courtroom, accused the defendant’s counsel of unnecessary delays in the matter, and called on the public to intervene for speedy justice dispensation.
The Tide reports that while Precious Orduis leading the prosecution team from the Ministry of Justice, representative of Federation of International Female Lawyers (FIDA), ConcelliaEnwerenzorwas also present at the court proceedings.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has arrested a man, identified as Kelechi, whose lover, IfeomaUzoigwe aka Oyibo’s decomposing body was found in his apartment on Woke Street, Cherubim Road, Mile 3, Diobu, Port Harcourt in the state in December, 2021.
Confirming the arrest to newsmen, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the suspect was arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department following a detailed investigation.
Kelechi was reported to have fled the house some days before neighbours discovered the decomposing body of his girlfriend in his apartment.
After much trailing by the police with the assistance of his family members, he was arrested by the Nkpolu Police Division in his hideout one month after the incident.
Iringe-Koko said the victim’s body was discovered by neighbours in December, 2021, as the odour from her decomposing remains took over the compound.
The police spokesperson said a detailed investigation has commenced, and that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as possible.

By: Akujobi Amadi