Three
suspects alleged to have been involved in the killing of 10 persons, including
nine police officers, were on Thursday arraigned in a Magistrate’s Court
sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The
suspects were said to have shot and killed their victims during various bank
robbery operations in the different parts of the state.
The
accused persons, who were identified as Godgift Gwenbe (29), Odum Atokaritou
(35) and Napughi Duba (29), were arraigned on 18 counts of conspiracy, armed
robbery, kidnapping and murder.
The
suspects were alleged to be responsible for the murder of ASP Bamidele Mohammed
(a spy), attached to a branch of Sterling Bank in Port Harcourt; Inspector
Austine Moore, who until his death was attached to the Elekahia Police Station
in Port Harcourt; Corporal Prince Tigbara (Elekahia Police Station) and
Inspector Jonah Oletu.
Others
alleged to have been killed by the suspects were Inspector Peter Olavoghokere,
Corporal Paul Nnaa and Inspector Dennis Akpan, who were attached to the
Olu-Obasanjo Police Station, Port Harcourt.
Also
murdered included Sergeant Ekwere Epoulo and Corporal Okougor Nyambi, all
attached to the Olu-Obasanjo Police Station. The other one was Mr. Femi
Oluokun, who was until his demise the Regional Manager of Sterling Bank.
The
suspects were also accused of being involved in the kidnap of one Nkechi Chika
(female), who is the Director of Pre-Pay Hotel, Eagle Island.
Chika
was held captive for two days and regained her freedom after the payment of
N10m ransom.
Duba,
Atokaritou and Gwenbe, in the company with others currently at large, attacked
and robbed a bullion van conveying the sum of $400,000, property of Sterling
Bank, Port Harcourt.
The
suspects were also said to have been involved in the robbing of Diamond Bank,
Trans-Amadi Branch, Port Harcourt.
While
the sum of N350m was taken away from Diamond Bank, it was gathered that another
financial institution, Fidelity Bank, GRA Branch in the state capital, lost
N24m to the suspects and their gang.
Though
no plea was taken because the case was related to capital offence, the
Magistrate, M.F. Poromon, directed that the matter should be transferred to the
Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.
The
magistrate, however, adjourned the matter till November 28, 2016, and ordered
the accused persons to be remanded in prison custody.
Source:The Punch
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