RIVERS HIGH COURT DISCHARGES, ACQUITS 12 OVER MURDER OF POLICE INSPECTOR CHRISTIANA EREKERE
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A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has discharged and acquitted 12 people who had been standing trial on a 13-count charge of conspiracy and murder over the death of Police Inspector Christiana Erekere.
Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Augusta Chukwu held that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt and that the evidence and witness testimony did not establish a direct link between the accused and the death of the officer. The accused were said to have encountered the deceased during a stop-and-search operation near Taaba Police Division on their way to Akwa Ibom for a traditional marriage.
The 12 people discharged and acquitted are: Joy Uwheraka, Shirley Wealth, Napoleon Uwheraka, Ejiro, Ejogbamu, Moses Agege, Precious Iyot, Kikelomo Odusanyo, Wealth Ojoh, Efeoghene Uwheraka, Ighofose Oke, Blessing Ovie and Emeka Joshua.
Justice Chukwu also awarded ₦1 million each to the discharged individuals as compensation for unlawful arrest and detention.
Outside the courtroom, defence counsel Robert Igwere welcomed the ruling, describing it as justice delivered on the law’s fundamental requirement that the prosecution must prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. “Any pocket of doubt leaves the court with no option but to hold that there is a doubt in the case of the prosecution,” Igwere said, adding that the judgment was not based on technicality but on that core criminal standard.
Prosecution counsel Celestine Dickson expressed surprise at the outcome and said the police authorities would review the judgment and decide on the next line of action. “I’m shocked by the outcome of today’s judgment,” Dickson said, noting the prosecution team would meet with police leadership to consider their options.
The defendants had been on trial since 24 April 2024. The court’s decision brings to an end the current criminal proceedings against them, with the prosecution indicating it will study the judgment before determining whether to appeal or take further steps.
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