Court sentences five to death for murder of OSPAC Commander

In a verdict handed down by a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt, five individuals have been sentenced to death by hanging or lethal injection until they are confirmed dead.

This judgment stems from their involvement in the murder of Umezuruike Alex, the OSPAC Commander of Omudioga Community in Emohua Local Government Area of the state.

Late Umezuruike Alex was brutally killed, beheaded, and dismembered by cultists in 2021 due to his efforts in fighting against criminal activities in the area.

Following an investigation by the police, six individuals were arrested in connection with the crime, and the prosecution commenced.

The five convicts, identified as Okechukwu Orji from Atali Community, Obio/Akpor LGA, Igwe Promise, Iheanyi Igwe, Morrison Igwe from Omudioga in Emohua LGA, and Goodness Monday from Akwa Ibom, were found guilty on ten counts including conspiracy, cultism, murder, and illegal possession of firearms.

However, the sixth defendant in the suit, Alex Deiwe, was discharged and acquitted by the trial judge, Justice Sika Aprioku.

Justice Aprioku, in his judgment, ruled that the prosecution counsel, Essein Edet, successfully proved the case against the five defendants on charges of conspiracy, cultism, illegal possession of firearms, and murder.

Consequently, Justice Aprioku convicted and sentenced them to death by hanging or lethal injection until they are confirmed dead.

The court emphasised that the convicts were not only responsible for the murder of the Omudioga OSPAC commander but were also involved in kidnapping and other criminal activities across the state before their arrest and subsequent prosecution.