More witnesses have testified in the trial of the suspected ritual killer, Ifeanyi Dike, over the murder of the 8-year-old Chikamso Victory Mezube at Oporo area of Port Harcourt in August 2017.
Ifeanyi Dike allegedly murdered the 8-year-old girl after raping her. He also mutilated her genitals for rituals purposes.
Testifying before the Justice Enebeli state High court, Sergeant Festus Ilerhunwa, prosecuting witness 10, presented a statement in court made by Ifeany Dike at the state CID on the 19th of August 2017, and two other statements he made at the Okporo Police station.
The accused, Ifeanyi Dike, denied that the statements presented before the IPO were his handwriting. After arguments by the prosecuting counsel and the first defence counsel, the trial judge admitted the statements as relevant exhibits and documents in the matter.
Justice Adolphus Enebeli adjourned the case to July 10 for continuation.
Speaking to newsmen after the adjournment, counsel to the state and Director, Department of Public Prosecution, Ibikiri Otoribio, said the court admitted all the exhibits presented before it.
“The statement made by Ifeanyi Dike was today presented in court. The court ruled on it and admitted it as being the first defendant statement made at the state CID. The statement of the IPO of Oporo police station made at state CID is the second and the third is the statement made by Godwin Anusiowu, brother to the complainant at the state CID”
Counsel to Ifeanyi Dike, Lezina Amegwa told the press that they are fortified with enough facts and ready to go through the trial.
“We have the right to have objected to the tendering of such statements but the court in its wisdom deemed it fit to admit same in evidence. We are not perturbed by that particular ruling of the court. The most important thing is that the substantive justice of the case will be achieved in due cause.
“We are ready to go on with this trial. We have been able to demonstrate and maintain that the law is the law and cannot be overridden by emotions. The court’s decision is at all times sacrosanct and its decision must be respected by us as counsels”
