18th March, 2021
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Rivers State Police Command has accused members Igwuruta Security Peace Advisory Committee of killing one Princewill Ogbonda and Peter Opurum and secretly burying them.
According to the police, the vigilance group members killed the two persons and buried them without the knowledge of their families in Igwuruta Community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the State on the 21st November 2020.
The allegation was contained in a charge sheet filed by the Police in a Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt when three members of ISPAC vigilance group were arraigned on seven- count charge of murder, possession of illegal firearms and indiscriminate shooting.
The suspects: Ikechukwu Amadi, Bright Nwogu and Chikwado Donatus and others at large were also charged for unlawful assault on Police officers, conspiracy, stealing of AK47 rifle and a handcuff valued at one million, ten thousand naira, which are properties belonging to the Nigerian Police Force, an offence punishable under Criminal code of Rivers State law.
According to the charge sheet, the remains of the victims were buried in an unknown place by the ISPAC members without the consent of the family members
The Presiding Magistrate, Enyidah John-Kennedy did not allow the charge to be read, and no plea was taken by the accused persons.
He, however, ordered that the case file be transmitted to the Department of Public Prosecution, DPP for advise and adjourned the suit to 29th April, for a possible hearing.