A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the state capital, has convicted and sentenced four persons to death by hanging for the brutal murder of the former Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada East Police Division, Superintendent of Police Bako Amgbashim.
The trial judge, Justice Sika Aprioku, also convicted the sixth defendant, Samuel Nwadinma, and sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment for conspiracy, while the third accused person was discharged and acquitted of all four counts of conspiracy, murder, membership of a secret cult group and robbery.
In the judgment, the court further discharged Famous Okechukwu, Samuel Uchendu, Oyekachi Ikonwa, Godbless Nnamdi and Marshall Daniel, the ninth to 13th defendants, who were found guilty of membership of a secret cult group, having already served the maximum terms prescribed by law while in custody.
Justice Aprioku held that the prosecution proved beyond a reasonable doubt the charges of conspiracy, murder, membership of a secret cult group and robbery against the four convicted persons, including a native doctor who prepared the charm allegedly used in killing the late DPO.
The judge ruled that the first defendant, Robinson Sonabari (the native doctor), the second defendant, Bright Okparawo, the fourth defendant, Precious Amaeze, popularly known as Selina, and the fifth defendant, Loveday Jack, also known as Rugged Excess, be hanged by the neck until they are confirmed dead.
Speaking to journalists after the judgment, lead prosecution counsel from the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Chigozie Amadi, commended the judiciary for ensuring that justice was served.
He said, “Justice is not only seen to have been done but has manifestly been done. This was a protracted case, and we thank the judge as well as both the prosecution and defence counsel.
“It is a capital offence, and we worked hard to prove our case beyond a reasonable doubt. Today, justice has been served for the gruesome murder of SP Bako Amgbashim.”
Also reacting, counsel for the Principal Legal Assistant, Nigeria Police Force, Celestine Dickson, said police officers, whose duty is to protect lives and property, have increasingly become targets of criminal gangs, expressing hope that the judgment would serve as a deterrent.
Meanwhile, the elder brother of the late DPO, Akasco Amgbashim, who travelled from Nasarawa State to witness the judgment, said the family had endured immense pain since the officer’s murder.
While commending the judiciary, the Rivers State Government and the Nigeria Police Force, he described the judgment as a reminder that no individual has the right to take another person’s life.
He said, “I thank the Federal Government and the police for standing firm to ensure justice. I also appreciate the Rivers State Government for supporting the police and the judiciary to carry out their duties effectively.
“Our people in Nasarawa State, especially the Amgbashim family, are grateful and relieved. This judgment should serve as a warning to criminals. A police officer exists for the peace and protection of society, and it is tragic when such a life is taken.
“Now that justice has been done, the lesson for everyone is that we must not take the law into our hands.”
NGGOSSIPS Metro reports that the four convicted persons were among 72 suspects 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 over the murder of SP Amgbashim.
As the trial progressed, 61 accused persons, including a traditional ruler, the Ekpeye Logbo, Eze Kelvin Anugwo, and a former chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Area, Cassidy Ikegbidi, were discharged and acquitted due to lack of evidence, leaving 13 defendants to face judgment.
Amgbashim, a respected police officer, was known for his strong stance against cultism, kidnapping and other violent crimes in flashpoint communities across Rivers State. He had earlier served as DPO of Bori Police Division in Khana LGA, where he restored relative peace in several Ogoni communities, before his redeployment to Ahoada East.
He was ambushed, captured and gruesomely murdered on September 8, 2023, by suspected cultists while returning from an operation in Odemude community, Ahoada East LGA.
The killing sparked tension in the area and prompted a joint security operation led by the then Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, which later resulted in the killing of a suspected leader of the Iceland cult group, David Okparanwo, also known as 2-Baba, in February 2024.
