Four University of Port Harcourt students, Binnga Lordson of
Theartre Arts, Ugonna Obuzor (Geology), Mike Toku (Civil Engineering) and
Tekena Erikene were murdered by an out of control mob October 5th 2012 in Aluu,
Ikwerre local government area.
PLAINTIFFS in the court case over the murder of the four UniPort
students, have withdrawn and presented fresh charges against suspects on trial
over the incident.
A High Court presided over by Justice L.L Nyordee in Port
Harcourt sitting over the matter granted the leave to substitute the charges
following Prosecution’s request after adding one more suspect to the 11 earlier
on trial.
Thursday’s hearing also advanced the trial to the reading of
the reviewed charges to the current 12 suspects who all pleaded not guilty.
The suspects are being charged with murder and
negligence/refusal to prevent felony.
Counsel to the 9th Defendant and former Chairman of Nigeria
Bar Association, O.C.J. Okocha (SAN) had argued that the Prosecution, under any
law, has no liberty to withdraw and substitute original charges.
The Prosecution led by Solicitor General of Rivers, Rufus
Godwin, had appealed for the substitution on the strength of the addition of
one more suspect to the case.
Deciding on the argument, Justice Nyordee eventually granted
the leave of substitution of charges.
Justice Nyordee subsequently adjourned the case to 15th
August when consideration for bail for the suspects would be the first issue to
be determined in the continuing case.
No comments:
Post a Comment