A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has discharged and acquitted 12 persons standing trial for the murder of a female Police Inspector, Christiana Erekere.
The late Inspector Erekere was attached to the Taaba Police Division in Khana Local Government Area when the incident occurred.
The 12 persons, who have been standing trial on 13 counts bordering on conspiracy and murder, had an encounter with the deceased during a stop and search operation near the Taaba Police on their way to Akwa Ibom for a traditional marriage.
Delivering judgment on Monday, the trial Judge, Justice Augusta Chukwu held that the prosecution failed to prove the case of conspiracy and murder against the accused persons.
The accused persons 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 declared that the prosecution witnesses and evidence presented by the lawyer did not show direct link to the 12 accused persons and therefore discharged and acquitted them.
Speaking outside the courtroom, the lawyer to the defendants expressed satisfaction with the judgment, saying it was in line with spirit and letters of the law.
One of the defence lawyers, Robert Igwere said: “I feel very fulfilled for defence counsel to defend charges of conspiracy and murder, and at the end of the day justice has taken its course.
Justice as they always said is good for the defendant, the society and the victim. Today justice has been served.”
But the prosecution lawyer, Celestine Dickson, expressed reservations saying the police authorities would review the judgment and decide on the next line of action.
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Dickson said: “The team is going to meet with the police authorities and review the judgement, look at it very well and advise on the next step to take.
