A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has discharged and acquitted 12 travellers accused of killing a female police officer, Inspector Christiana Erekere, during a stop-and-search operation in April 2024.
Inspector Erekere, attached to the Taabaa Police Division in Bori, Khana Local Government Area, reportedly died during an altercation at a checkpoint involving the travellers, who were on their way to Akwa Ibom State for a wedding.
Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Augusta Chukwu ruled that the prosecution failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendants were responsible for the officer’s death.
The accused — Efeoghene Uwheraka (the groom), Joy Uwhereka, Shirley Wealth, Napoleon Uwhereka, Ejiro Ejogbamu, Moses Agege, Precious Iyota, Kikelomo Odusanya, Wealth Ojoh, Ighofose Oke, Blessing Ovie, and Emeka Joshua — had been in custody for 18 months.
Justice Chukwu noted that the evidence presented by the six prosecution witnesses was contradictory and largely based on hearsay. She added that the autopsy report indicated the officer died of an underlying health condition, not from physical assault.
The court consequently discharged and acquitted all 12 defendants and awarded ₦1 million each as compensation for their unlawful detention.
Reacting to the judgment, counsel for the first and third defendants, Sunny Nwokoro, hailed the verdict, saying, “Murder must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, not based on emotions. The court rightly held that the prosecution failed to link the defendants to the death.”
Another defence lawyer, Robert Uye-Awaji, described the ruling as a “victory for justice,” noting that the court based its decision on the fundamental principles of law rather than sentiment.
However, Prosecuting Counsel, Celestine Dickson, expressed disappointment and said the team would review the judgment with the police before deciding on the next line of action.
“It is shocking that a group of travellers could attack a police officer, and yet the court found no grounds for conviction. We will review the judgment thoroughly,” he stated.
The verdict sparked mixed emotions in the courtroom — relatives of the acquitted defendants rejoiced, while the family of the late officer broke down in tears.
Erekere’s daughters, Rita and Fortune, rejected the court’s ruling, insisting that their mother was murdered and had no health issues. Her brother, Amanikpo Bariledum, also vowed that the family would appeal the judgment.
