Rivers gov’t takes over prosecution of Oyigbo pastor for murder of three church members


Tina Amanda

The Prosecution of the murder case involving one Pastor Chidiebere Okoroafor, the founder of Altar of Solution Church in Oyigbo local government area, who was alleged to have killed two female members of his Church and a baby, on 11 December, 2017, has been taken over by the Rivers State government.

The Defendant, Chidiebere Okoroafor was alleged to have murdered his church choir mistress, Late Orlunma Nwagba whom he allegedly impregnated, in an attempt to cover his track he also murdered her friend Mrs. Chigozie Ezenwa and her baby.

Operatives of Rivers State Police Command had on 17 December, 2017 arrested Pastor CHIDIEBERE OKOROAFOR following alarm raised by the husband of Chigozie Ezenwa who was killed alongside her daughter, Christabel.

The police had after parading the suspect subsequently arraigned him in court and immediately commenced the prosecution before the intervention of the state government through the office of the Ministry of Justice.

When the matter came up for cross examination, one of the Investigative Police Officers, Inspector Dan Promise told the court the they found the corpses of the victims in different locations within Eberi in Afam, in Oyigbo.

The Presiding Judge, Justice S.O Benson after listening to the cross examination, adjourned to 25th and 31st January, 2022 for continuation of cross examination of witnesses.

Meanwhile, Joseph Ezenwa, husband of late Chigozie Ezenwa who was killed alongside her little daughter Christabel Ezenwa, in an interview with our correspondent accused the Defendant Counsel of delaying judicial processes in the matter and called for public intervention for a speedy justice.

“My late wife Chigozie Ezenwa and my daughter Christabel Ezenwa were very Dear to me and this man who happened to be their pastor killed them, killed my wife, my little Child, killed her friend Orlunma who she introduced into the church. The pastor and Orlunma were having affairs, he got her pregnant.

“He wanted to run away from his sins that he decided to kill both my wife who introduced the girl to the church and my daughter whom my wife carried to search for late Orlunma in the church. He killed and threw their bodies in different places.

“The Defendant lawyer has not been helping matters in the case, it’s four years now and he keeps delaying the matter which the judge is not happy with. I want the public to put eye into this, I need justice for my innocent wife and daughter. My wife committed no wrong for introducing Orlunma to the church and she was unjustly murdered.”

Meanwhile, Rivers State has begun prosecuting into the murder case of a Police officer, Inspector Isaiah Bene, who allegedly killed an upcoming young musician in the state by name Daniel Chibuike-Ikeaguchi, popularly known as SLICK.

The family of late SLICK had earlier secured a judgment in their favour against the Police Force in a fundamental Right Suit, where a High Court in Port Harcourt awarded the total sum of fifty Million naira as compensation in favour of the family for violating the right of the victim.

Paul Ruben, friend of late SLICK, who was also with the victim when the incident took place, while testifying during cross examination, told the court that the police Inspector, Isaiah Bene was responsible for the killing of his friend.

The Presiding Judge, Justice S.O BENSON after listening to the witness, adjourned to 24, 31 January and 6 April, 2022 for continuation of cross examination.