RSG Takes Over Prosecution Of Homicide Case

Rivers State Government through the state ministry of Justice has taken over the prosecution in the criminal prosecution and proceedings against the police officer, Inspector Isaiah, Bene who who allegedly shot dead a young musician in the state who was identified as Daniel Chibuike Ikeaguchi popularly called Slick
The taken over of the criminal proceeding by the state government followed the victory of the family of late Slick to secure a judgment in their favour against the police in a fundamental Right Suit where the high court awarded the total sum of fifty million naira as compensation in favour of the family for violating 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, Isaiah Bene was responsible for the killing of his friend.
Our correspondent reports that the trial judge, Justice S.O Benson, after listening to the witness, adjourned till 24th, 31st of January and 6th of April, 2022 for continuation of cross examination
In a related development, the state government through the ministry of justice has approached a state high court to take over the prosecution of one Pastor Chidiebere Okoroafor, a pastor of a new generation Churche 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 Orluoma Wagba whom he allegedly impregnated before killing her in 2017.
It would be recalled that operatives of Rivers State Police Command had on 17th of December, 2017 arrested one Pastor Chidiebere Okoroafor following alarm raised by the husband of Chigozie Ezenwa who was killed alongside her daughter Christabel Ezenwa and her friend Orlunma Nwagba, who were worshipers of his church
The police had after parading the suspect who is the Founder of Altar of Solution Church, subsequently charged him to court and immediately commenced the prosecution before the intervention of the state government through the office of the ministry of justice.
When the matter came up for cross examination, one of the investigators on Friday , the police prosecution team led by Inspector Daniel 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 25th and 31st January, 2022 for continuation of cross examination of witnesses.
Joseph Ezenwa, who was the husband to Chigozie Ezenwa, who was killed alongside her daughter Christabel Ezenwa in an interview with our correspondent outside the courtroom, accused the defendant counsel of delays in the matter and called on the public to intervene for a speedy justice.
Our correspondent reports that while Precious Ordu is leading the prosecution team from the ministry of justice, representative of Federation of International Female Lawyers, FIDA, Concellia Enwerenzor, was also present during the court proceedings.

By: Akujobi Amadi