By Tina Amanda
The ongoing murder trial of Sunny Bekanwa, a former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, and Henry Barikui-Dele has been stalled in the Rivers State High Court, Port Harcourt.
The pair face charges related to the alleged murders of Dr. Lucky Keena and Engineer Deyaa Dunsara in the Kpean community.
The trial, which was set for the continuation of the cross-examination of prosecution witnesses, was unable to proceed due to the absence of the presiding judge, Justice I.P. Chigozi-Igwe.
Bekanwa and Barikui-Dele are facing a seven-count charge, which includes murder, cultism, and illegal possession of firearms. The Rivers State Attorney General had taken over the prosecution from a private prosecutor to represent the state.
At the previous hearing, Professor Patrick Wiyokpigi, a Khana Local Government indigene, testified that Bekanwa became a “killing machine” who conspired with others to drive elites out of the community.
Wiyokpigi further stated that news of Bekanwa and Barikui-Dele’s arrests brought jubilation and a sense of peace to the people of the Kpean community.
Our Correspondent reported that the case was adjourned to November 13 and 18, 2024.
