Brave Dickson
Following the release of advice from the office of the Rivers State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Barr Naaman Ugbana and others will now be facing another trial at the state high court for allegedly ordering a buried corpse to be exhumed in Andoni LGA.
You recall that in sometime last year, the defendants were dragged before a magistrate court in Port Harcourt on offences bordering on corpse exhumation and attempt to cause native war within the Omoni family in Agana community of Andoni LGA where Naaman claimed to be their paramount ruler.
Speaking with our correspondent, the counsel who held a watching brief for the complainants Barr Isah Seidu said: “The matter came up today (Thursday) for DPP advice and the advice has been made available to the court.
“Because of the bureaucratic nature of the civil service, the advice was served on the court and other relevant bodies a bit late.
Also Read: Government offering reward for anyone who pulls tyre off crocodile’s neck
“The advice that is before the court today says the defendants have a case to answer which means they will be charged to the appropriate court before the next adjourned date of February 17, 2020.
“What the defendants have done is a crime against the state and it is regrettable that a lawyer is involved.
“They were accused of exhuming corpse which is likely to cause community war and public breach of peace.
“The lawyer, Mr Naaman Ugbana hails from the community and he said he is the paramount ruler of the community.
“He is a self-acclaimed paramount ruler who is saying that all the lands, in this case, belong to them.
“This matter is already sub judice before the high court in Bori in Khana LGA and the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt.
“So, the lawyer who says he is the paramount ruler should have known better than going ahead to exhume corpse from a land that is in legal contention is highly contemptuous.
“Since the actions of the defendants are likely to cause native war and attempted murder, we will now move the matter from the magistrate court to the high court that has the jurisdiction to handle all.,”
