Rivers court sentences man to death for murder

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has convicted and sentenced Eze Kingsley to death by hanging for the murder of Wagbara David.

The incident occurred on December 7, 2018, at Rumuosi community along the East-West Road.

According to reports, Kingsley, a conductor of a petroleum tanker, used a sharp object to stab David, leading to his death.

The prosecution proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Kingsley committed the crime, leading to his conviction and sentencing.

Trial Judge, Justice Boma Diepri, held that the prosecution was able to prove all the elements of the body of evidence of murder beyond a reasonable doubt and thereby convicted and sentenced Kingsley to death.

Justice Diepri ruled that Kingsley should be hanged by the neck until he is confirmed dead and urged that his soul rest in peace.

In a related development, a Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt has declined jurisdiction in a case of attempted murder and cultism against Deele Akpobari, also known as Bob Satan.

Akpobari is alleged to be one of the suspects who attempted to murder the leader of the Conscience of Ogoni People, Chief Gani Topba, on March 12, 2023.

Topba was reportedly ambushed on his way back from his community, Zaakpo in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, to Port Harcourt, and shot multiple times, leaving him half dead.

Chief Magistrate Rosemary Ibanibo cited the charge and information filed by the Department of Public Prosecution against the suspect and declined jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

The Chief Magistrate advised Akpobari to seek his bail at the state high court, which she said has jurisdiction to hear and possibly grant bail.

In another development, a murder, cultism, and possession of illegal firearms suit against Confidence Kirinee, popularly called General Illa, Precious Mona, Loveday Legah, and Soniabari Sagha has been stalled at the Bori High Court sitting in Port Harcourt.

The suspects are alleged to have kidnapped their victim, Muenalo Sunday, a pharmacist, chopped off his head, manhood, and intestines, and dumped his remains inside a pit while taking his head to their shrine in a bush in a neighbouring community.

When the case was mentioned in court, prosecution counsel, Precious Ordu, informed the court about the absence of the defense counsel and that he was yet to be served with the written deposition report of the defendants to make way for the opening of the defense.

The trial Judge, Justice Augusta Kingsley-Chukwu, after listening to the counsel, adjourned the case until February 26, 2025, for the opening of the defense by the defendants.