A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has issued an order restraining the Nigeria Police from re-arresting and taking to Abuja any defendant already standing trial in the murder charge concerning the killing of late Ahoada Divisional Police Officer, Bako Angbashim.

The court, presided over by Justice Sika Aprioku, also issued an order restraining any move or plans to move the case file of the murder to the Abuja High Court.

Justice Aprioku commended the prosecution team of Nigeria Police and Rivers State Department of Public Prosecution led by C.F Amadi, who insisted that only those whose cases have been established in the case file can be tried after amending the charges.

The trial judge frowned at a situation where some defendants in the murder case are already being prosecuted for the murder in Abuja when the main case file is already in Rivers State High Court.

Justice Aprioku said such is illegal and a breach of court processes, citing Section 67 of the Administration of Criminal Justice.

It was reported that Justice Aprioku, before adjourning till March 15, 2024, for a hearing on the suit, advised counsel who has any application, especially bail application, to liaise with the DPP or the police on the way forward.

A former chairman of Ahoada East local Government Area, Cassidy Ikegbidi; a monarch, Ngozi Anugwo, and over 50 others, as well as others now at large, are standing trial on five counts of conspiracy, cultism, murder of the late Ahoada DPO.

Chime Ezekpalike and four others are also standing trial on the same murder charge in a High Court in Abuja. (The PUNCH)

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