A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has discharged and acquitted twelve persons accused of the murder of a female police inspector, Christiana Erekere, at the Taaba Police Division in Khana Local Government Area of the state.
The defendants had been standing trial on a 13-count charge bordering on conspiracy and murder following the death of Inspector Erekere, who was reportedly killed on April 24, 2025, during a stop-and-search operation at Taaba while the accused were allegedly en route to Akwa Ibom for a traditional marriage ceremony.
Delivering judgment, Justice Augusta Chukwu held that the prosecution failed to prove the case of murder and conspiracy beyond reasonable doubt against the defendants — Joy Uwheraka, Shirley Wealth, Napoleon Uwheraka, Ejiro Ejogbamu, Moses Agege, Precious Iyot, Kikelomo Odusanyo, Wealth Ojoh, Efeoghene Uwheraka, Ighofose Oke, Blessing Ovie, and Emeka Joshua.
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Justice Chukwu ruled that the evidence presented by the prosecution did not establish any direct link between the accused persons and the alleged crime, and accordingly discharged and acquitted them.
The court also awarded ₦1 million each as compensation to the twelve acquitted individuals for what it described as their unlawful arrest and detention a verdict that sparked jubilation among their family members present in court.
Speaking to journalists after the ruling, defence counsel expressed satisfaction with the judgment, describing it as a victory for justice and the rule of law.
On his part, prosecution counsel Dickson Celestine said the police authority would review the judgment to determine the next line of action, expressing mixed feelings over the court’s decision in a case that involved the death of a police officer.
