A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has delivered a landmark judgment, sentencing four individuals to death by hanging for the gruesome murder of Superintendent of Police (SP) Bako Angbashim. The deceased was the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Ahoada Division at the time of his death in September 2023.
The presiding judge, Justice Sika Aprioku, convicted Robinson Sonabari, Bright Okparawo, Precious Amaeze (also known as Selina), and Loveday Jack (popularly known as Ragged Excess). They were found guilty on multiple counts, including conspiracy to commit murder, membership in a secret cult, and armed robbery. Justice Aprioku ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, specifically noting evidence against Sonabari, a native doctor who reportedly prepared the charms used by the gang during the attack.
In his ruling, the judge ordered that the four convicts "be hanged by the neck until they are confirmed dead." Additionally, a fifth defendant, Samuel Nwadinma, was sentenced to three years imprisonment for conspiracy, while a sixth defendant was discharged and acquitted of all charges.
SP Bako Angbashim was ambushed, killed, and beheaded by cultists in the Odiemudie community of Ahoada East Local Government Area while returning from a raid. The incident sparked widespread outrage, leading Governor Siminalayi Fubara to place a N100 million bounty on the gang leader, Gift Okpara (alias 2Baba), who was later confirmed dead following a police raid on his camp in February 2024.
Reacting to the judgment, Chigozie Amadi, the lead prosecution counsel from the Rivers Ministry of Justice, hailed the verdict as a victory for the rule of law. "Justice is not only seen to have been done but has manifestly been done," Amadi stated, commending the court for a thorough process in what he described as a protracted case.
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