A high court sitting in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, commenced hearing in the murder case of 8-year-old Eedeebari Littia Gonis, who was allegedly raped and killed by one Tombari Eedey Taol, at Bori, in Khana local government area of the state.
The defendant Tombari Taol is facing a 4 count charge bordering on sexual abuse, exploitation of a child, unlawful sexual intercourse with a child and murder.
During the Court proceeding, the state prosecuting Counsel, Aya Orugbani, called it’s first prosecuting witness.
Testifying before the court, Peter Gonis, a clergy and father of the late Eedeebari Littia Gonis, told the court that on 3rd November 2018, at about 7:00 am, his wife took their two daughters to attend a women’s conference at Holiness Revival Mission Church located in Bori.
According to him, when the morning session was over, his wife left with other women for evangelism, while leaving the two daughters behind in the church.
He stressed that around 7:pm when he returned from his mission work and put a call through to his wife to inquire why they are not back, he was told his daughter was missing.
He said further that the matter was then reported to the Bori police station and they swung into action which led to the arrest of the culprit, Tombari, who confessed to raping Eedeebari in the visitors’ room in the church, strangled her and threw her body over the church’s fence.
He testified that the suspect Tombari while confessing at the state criminal investigation department CID of raping and killing Eedeebari, said he started raping at the age of four years old.
The presiding judge, Justice Margaret Opara, adjourned the matter to 4th December for continuation of cross examination.
Speaking to our reporter Tina Amanda, Defendant’s Counsel Godspower Godfrey, said cross examination will show if his client is guilty or not.
On her part, Chairperson FIDA, Ngozi Ighosevbe, said FIDA will watch the case closely to ensure Justice is served in the matter.
