A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has acquitted and discharged twelve travellers accused of murdering Inspector Christiana Erekere, a police officer attached to the Taabaa Police Division in Bori, Khana Local Government Area.
Justice Augusta Chukwu delivered the judgment on Monday, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendants were responsible for the officer’s death during a stop-and-search operation on 25 April 2024.
The defendants — 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 — were travelling to Akwa Ibom State for a wedding when the incident occurred.
Reports indicated that the confrontation began when police officers questioned the authenticity of one of the vehicle’s documents, allegedly sparking an altercation that led to the officer’s death.
Justice Chukwu observed that the prosecution’s six witnesses gave inconsistent and hearsay evidence, none of which linked the defendants directly to the officer’s death. She added that the autopsy report confirmed Erekere did not die from physical injuries but from an existing medical condition.
The court consequently acquitted all twelve defendants, who had spent eighteen months in custody, and awarded ₦1 million each as compensation for their unlawful detention.
Counsel for the first and third defendants, Sunny Nwokoro, praised the ruling, saying: “Murder must be proven beyond reasonable doubt, not through emotions. The court rightly found no direct link between the defendants and the death.”
Another defence counsel, Robert Uye-Awaji, described the decision as a victory for justice. “The ruling was based on the law’s substance, not technicalities. The prosecution’s case was riddled with doubt,” he said.
However, prosecuting counsel Celestine Dickson expressed disappointment, stating that the team would review the verdict with the police authorities before deciding on the next step.
“It is shocking that a police officer could be attacked, yet the court found no reason for conviction,” he remarked.
The judgment sparked mixed emotions in the courtroom — families of the acquitted defendants celebrated their release, while relatives of the late officer wept.
Erekere’s daughters, Rita and Fortune, rejected the court’s decision, insisting that their mother was murdered and had no underlying illness. Her brother, Amanikpo Bariledum, condemned the ruling and vowed that the family would appeal.