The Nigeria Police Force has charged 12 people with the murder of a female inspector, Christiana Erekere, at the Taabaa Police Checkpoint in Rivers State on April 25, 2024.
The 12 suspects were purportedly on their way to Cross River from Delta State for a wedding when they were arrested at a checkpoint. An disagreement ensued, which turned into a scuffle in which a member of the travelling party was injured.
It was unclear what transpired, but it was suspected that during the confrontation, Inspector Erekere fled into a police station and was killed.
Following a lengthy police investigation, the 12 accused were charged on Thursday in the Port Harcourt division of the Rivers State High Court on 13 counts, including murder. They were denied bail by the presiding judge, Augusta Chukwu.
The Lead Counsel for the police, Mercy Nweke, stated, “We just arraigned them and they applied for bail, but the court refused. It’s a capital offence. The court has adjourned the matter for an accelerated hearing because they murdered a policewoman inside a police station.”
The defendants’ counsel, Sunday Womoh, acknowledged that the situation could have been avoided if the police had acted more professionally, but asserted that the law would take its course.
“The court will examine the case, and I’m very optimistic that not all of them are involved. The law will exonerate those who deserve to be exonerated,” he said.
The family members of the deceased have called for justice. Helena, the victim’s mother, stated, “I want justice for my daughter because since she died, I don’t have anybody to take care of me.”
Presiding Judge Augusta Chukwu adjourned the case for a definite hearing on October 18th, November 15th, December 4th, 11th, and 15th, 2024.