Rivers
Cult Killings: Court Fixes Defence Dates for Ex-Khana LG Boss, Co-Accused
Proceedings in the alleged cult-related murder trial involving a former local government Chairman and his co-defendant now has a new date following the formal closure of the case by the prosecution.
The development came as the presiding Judge, Justice I.P.C. Igwe, announced the dates for the continuation of the matter after the prosecution concluded its presentation of evidence.
The court subsequently adjourned the case to May 19 and 26, as well as June 9 and 15, 2026, for the defendants to open their defence.
Those standing trial are the former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Sunny Bekanwa, and his co-defendant, Henry Barikui-Dele.
The adjournment followed the testimony of the Police Investigation Officer attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Rivers State Police Command, Inspector Stephen Ntibmouwei, who appeared as the final prosecution witness.
While testifying before the court, the officer linked the alleged activities of Bekanwa in Kpean Community, Khana Local Government Area, to the killings of Doctor Lucky Keena and Engineer Deyaa Dunsara.
He told the court that the former council boss allegedly used his political influence to interfere in traditional institutions within the community.
According to him, such influence extended to the dethronement and installation of chiefs, including the emergence of a traditional ruler allegedly backed by the first defendant.
The witness further alleged that Bekanwa leveraged the same influence to bring together different cult groups under a unified structure known as “Ngwongwo,” where he was said to have acted as arrowhead.
Under cross-examination, Inspector Ntibmouwei disclosed that his investigation was largely based on a security report from the Bori Police Division.
He explained that the report emanated from a petition written by the leadership of Kpean Community against the former council boss and was supported by video and audio evidence already tendered before the court.
The court was also reminded that the witness had, at a previous sitting, presented recordings said to contain a voluntary confessional statement by Henry Barikui-Dele, which the prosecution claimed implicated both defendants in the alleged crimes.
By: King Onunwor