The case of Soboma George’s story ended with his death in 2010, the legal and political aftermath continued for over a decade.
After 10 years of legal proceedings, justice was finally served in a Port Harcourt High Court on June 4, 2020.
Justice George Omereji sentenced three men Dougbra Ogbe, Emmanuel Gladstone, and Bere Matthew to death by hanging for the murder of Soboma George and a groundnut seller, Joy John-Ejims.
During the trial, a startling confession emerged. The convicts claimed they killed George because he had allegedly ordered them to assassinate the the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State. They claimed George wanted them dead because they refused to carry out the hits.
The case was solidified by the testimony of an eyewitness, Emmanuel Eniete, who survived the attack despite sustaining a bullet wound to the hand.
Soboma’s death marked the end of an era for “The Outlaws.” In the years following his death, some of his former subordinates transitioned into the political sphere.
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Notably, Adoki Tonye Smart, who was once a field commander and second-in-command to George, eventually ran for office and was elected to the Rivers State House of Assembly.
His assassination initially caused a significant security vacuum and fears of a “gang war” in Port Harcourt.
While the city eventually stabilized, his name remains a reference point in discussions about the fragility of the 2009 Amnesty Programme and the deep-rooted links between militancy and local politics.
As of 2026, the era of Soboma George is often cited by historians and security experts as a cautionary tale of how the “cult-militant” hybrid groups shaped the modern security challenges of the Niger Delta.
Written by Joe Jac
