Rivers govt takes over prosecution of suspects standing trial for murder of Ahoada DPO

The Rivers State Government has taken over the prosecution of the former Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Area, Cassidy Ikegbidi, Eze Ekpeye Logbo, His Royal Majesty Eze Ngozi Angwo, and over fifty others standing trial for the murder of the late Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada East, SP Bako Angbashim.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, who represented the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice informed the court about the state government’s interest in taking over the prosecution of the matter, which was objected to by counsels to some of the defendants following their bail application.

Justice Sika Henry-Aprioku in his ruling said the state government has the legal right to take over prosecution and therefore granted the request by the state government.

He directed the prosecution counsel to file his counter-application on the bail application and serve the defence counsel.

Justice Henry-Aprioku before adjourning to 24th of November, 2023 for plea and bail consideration, held that following the nature of the charge, bail application must be in a written form and not oral.