Rivers Court Acquits 12 in Police Inspector Murder Case

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has cleared twelve defendants of the murder of Police Inspector Christiana Erekere, ending months of legal proceedings that began in June 2024. The court ruled that the prosecution failed to establish a clear link between the accused persons and the officer’s death.

In her judgment, Justice Augusta Kingsley-Chukwu said the testimonies presented were inconsistent and lacked evidence connecting the suspects to the alleged crime. She noted that the autopsy findings suggested other possible causes of death, including asthma and suffocation.

The judge ordered the prosecution to pay ₦1 million each to the twelve defendants as compensation for wrongful accusation and prolonged detention. This outcome marks a significant twist in a case that had attracted public attention due to the involvement of law enforcement personnel.

Inspector Erekere reportedly lost her life on April 24, 2024, during a stop-and-search operation at the Taaba Police Division in Khana Local Government Area. The now-freed suspects were travelling from Delta State to Akwa Ibom for a traditional marriage ceremony when the incident occurred.