A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced four of the 13 persons standing trial for the killing of the former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ahoada East Police Division, SP Bako Angbashim, to death by hanging.
The late DPO was killed on September 8, 2023, during a police operation in Odemude community, Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state. His body was reportedly dismembered, an incident that sparked tension across the area.
Following the killing, the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, launched a joint operation that led to the death of the suspected cult leader, David Okparawo, also known as 2Baba.
Delivering judgment, Justice Sika Aprioku held that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt the charges of conspiracy, murder, membership of a secret cult group and robbery against the four convicts, including a native doctor accused of preparing charms used in the attack.
The court ordered that the first defendant, Robinson Sonabari, identified as the native doctor; Bright Okparawo (second defendant); Precious Amaeze, also known as Selina (fourth defendant); and Loveday Jack, popularly called Rugged Excess (fifth defendant), be hanged until confirmed dead.
The judge also sentenced the sixth defendant, Samuel Nwadinma, to three years imprisonment for conspiracy, while the third accused was discharged and acquitted of all four counts.
In addition, the court discharged Famous Okechukwu, Samuel Uchendu, Oyekachi Ikonwa, Godbless Nnamdi and Marshall Daniel — the ninth to 13th defendants — after finding that they had already served the statutory term for membership of a secret cult.
Speaking to journalists after the judgment, lead prosecution counsel from the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Chigozie Amadi, alongside a member of the Police legal team, Celestine Dickson, commended the court for ensuring justice.
Dickson expressed concern that police officers have increasingly become targets of criminal elements but said the verdict sends a clear message that perpetrators cannot evade justice.
The elder brother of the late DPO, Akasoo Amgbashim, who travelled from Nasarawa State, described the judgment as healing for the family and commended the judiciary, the Rivers State Government and the Nigeria Police Force for their efforts.
The four convicts were among 72 persons initially arraigned before the Rivers State High Court by a joint prosecution team of the Department of Public Prosecutions and the Rivers State Police Command. Earlier in the trial, 61 defendants, including traditional ruler Eze Kelvin Anugwo and a former chairman of Ahoada East, Cassidy Ikegbidi, were discharged and acquitted for lack of evidence, leaving 13 persons to face trial.
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
