A High Court in Port Harcourt has acquitted traditional ruler Kelvin Anugwo and 42 others who were on trial for the murder of Bako Angbashim, the late divisional police officer of the Ahoada East Division.
The defendants faced charges of cultism, armed robbery, murder, and conspiracy to commit murder.
Recall that after SP Angbashim was abducted, killed, and his body dismembered by notorious cult leader David Okpara and his gang in the Oduemude community in Ahoada East in September 2023, over 50 people were arrested and brought to trial.
During the court session on Friday, the Director of Public Prosecution, C.F. Amadi, informed the court that there was no prima facie case against the accused, leading to their release as they had no case to answer.
Justice Sika Aprioku, basing her decision on the DPP’s advice, discharged and acquitted the defendants.
Outside the courtroom, Ekashie Emehi, the lawyer representing the 37th defendant, spoke to journalists, stating that the ruling confirmed the innocence of the accused, allowing them to resume their normal activities. He expressed concern over his client’s arrest under the pretense of an invitation.
Emehi stated, “He was arrested in the guise of an invitation that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations wanted to see him and he was arrested.
“Now, as far as this matter is concerned, what it means by a prima face case not being established is that the persons are not connected to that case. So on that note, he is free and he has his full liberty to handle his affairs and would no more come back to this matter.”
Also speaking, Anugwo, who is the Eze Ekpeye Logbo III of Ahoada Kingdom, described the ruling as justice for the people of the area.
He said, “All the allegations leveled against us have been thrown out today. So we give God all the glory. Our victory today is hinged on the hands of God, not human beings.
“What it means is that the kingdom should be happy that today God has vindicated us, and as such they can be proud that they have a king that stands by the truth.”
Okpara, also known as 2baba, the main suspect in the murder of the late DPO, was killed in a joint security operation at one of his hideouts in the Idu-Ekpeye community in Ahoada East.
The body of the notorious cult leader was later dug up from a shallow grave in a forest where his gang had buried him. It was displayed to the media at the state police command headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, by the Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, on February 23, 2024.