Five to die by hanging over murder of Rivers local security commander 

No fewer than five people were on Monday sentenced to death by a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt over murder of Alex Umezuruike, the commander of OSPAC, a local security outfit in the state.

The convicts are: Okechukwu Orji from Atali community in Obio-Akpor local government area; Igwe Promise, Iheanyi Igwe, Morrison Igwe, all from Omudioga in Emohua local government area, Rivers state; and Goodness Monday from Akwa Ibom state.

The convicts who were found guilty of the murder of the commander of OSPAC in Omudioga community, Emohua local government area of the state are to die by hanging or by lethal injection until they are confirmed dead.

The court held that the 5 persons were found guilty of ten counts charge of conspiracy, cultism, murder and illegal possession of firearms while it discharged and acquitted the sixth defendant in the suit, Alex Deiwe.

The trial Judge, Justice Sika Aprioku in his judgment held that the prosecution counsel, Essein Edet proved his case against the five convicts on charges of conspiracy, cultism, illegal possession of firearms, and murder and therefore convicted and sentenced them to death.

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The court also held that the convicts did not only murder the OSPAC commander but were also involved in kidnapping and other criminal activities in parts of the state before their arrest and commencement of prosecution.

Speaking to newsmen outside the courtroom, the prosecution counsel, Essein Edet who is the Officer in charge of legal annex DFA, Rivers State Police command, expressed happiness over judgment which he described as justice well served and will also serve as deterrent to others who are involved in such crimes.

Recall that late Umezuruike Alex was in the year 2021, killed, beheaded and other parts of his body dismembered by cultists for fighting against criminals activities in the area.