Three out of the seven people facing trial in the killing of
four students of the University of Port Harcourt popularly called Aluu4 have
been sentenced to death by Justice Letam Nyordee of a High Court in Port
Harcourt.
Those sentenced to death include, ex-Sergeant Lucky Orji,
Ikechukwu Luis Amadi and David Chinasa Ogbonda.
Other four suspects facing trial; Abiodun Yusuf, Joshua
Ekpe, Abang Cyril, and John Ayu were discharged and acquitted for lack of overwhelming
evidence.
Justice Nyordee in his judgment blamed the accused persons
for embarking on mob action without having the facts about the action of the
students.
The Judge said the death of the four children was a
culmination of the shameful failure of security institutions especially in the
area of intelligence sharing, adding that the Police, the C4i and the Joint
Military Task Force failed in their responsibilities.
“You are found guilty in line with Section 319 of the
Criminal Code cap 9. of the Laws of Rivers state.”
Speaking with newsmen, counsel to the convicted persons,
Chukwueze Ifedi said the decision of the court was based on findings of the
investigation.
For his part, the obviously disappointed Director of Public
Prosecutions, Ibikiri Otorubio said the state will study the judgment and
decide on the next line of action.
“What we can say is that the judge has done his part and we
will do our own. We will study the judgment and take the next action,” he said.
Twelve people were standing trial for the murder of the
young undergraduates but five were discharged early this year.
Ugonna Obuzor, Toku Lloyd, Chiadika Biringa and Tekena
Elkanah were killed on October 5th, 2012 at Omokiri community, Aluu in Ikwerre
Local government area of Rivers state.
Father of one of the killed students, Mike Torku expressed
disappointment in the judgment.
Torku said the only consolation from the decision of the
court is that the children who were wrongly killed have been vindicated.
He also expressed happiness that the matter which has been
on since 2012 has come to an end.
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