Tina Amanda
The trial in the murder of Kenneth Atsuwete, a human right lawyer, who died in the hands of kidnappers, has been stalled at a Rivers High Court in Port Harcourt.
The matter was stalled due to the absence of Counsel representing the 3rd and 4th Defendant.
Recall that late Kenneth Atsuwete was murdered on 28th August 2016.
Four suspects were arrested in connection to the murder, charged to court in 2017, and a trial is yet to start on the matter.
The four accused by name Chibiko James Amuzuo; Amadi Nathaniel Akokpe; Junior Aleru and Ezims Aleru face three-count charge of conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping and belonging to a cult group, which are crimes punishable under the Criminal Code Law, Cap 37, VOL 2 of the Rivers State of Nigeria 1999.
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The presiding Judge, Justice Boma Diepiriye, after standing down the matter for hours waiting for the 3rd and 4th Defendant Counsel to appear in court, adjourned the case to 27th February for the continuation of trial.
The Prosecuting Counsel, Enahoro Dakare told our correspondent, Tina Amanda, that the matter was slated Tuesday for the Prosecution to open its case, adding that the court could not go on with the matter, because it wants to give fairness to all parties to be present.
“The 3rd and 4th Defendant Counsel was not in court and no possible reason was given. It’s been a matter that has dragged since 2017 when the Defendants were charged before this court. I took over the matter last year upon the order of the Attorney General for me to take over the case, and the suspects are charged for capital offences based on the revised Rivers State law on kidnapping, murder and cultism”
