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...News...

Scared judge dumps trial of royal father

CHINEDU WOSU, Port Harcourt

Presiding judge on the trial of the Amanyanabo of Konuju Town in Okrika, Rivers State Justice E. Teetito yesterday washed his hands off the case and announced that he would no longer preside over the seeming delicate matter.

The judge said he had returned the matter and the case file to the office of the Chief Judge of the state for subsequent reassignment.

Justice Teetito gave no reason for his decision, but it was gathered that it might not be unconnected with the recent threat to his life, which had been expressed by most of the prosecution witnesses and counsel.

It would be recalled that Prince Gabriel Obom, the star prosecution witness in the case, which had been linked to the cult leader, Mr. Tom Ateke, was killed on Sunday, March 16, 2008 , just a day before hearing in the case would commence.

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Rivers State, Barr Rufus Nkereawaji Godwins, expressed apprehension on the safety of the lives of his witnesses and members of the counsel.

The DPP said the new violent twist to the matter would not daunt his resolve to pursue law and order in the matter, he said showed the desperation of those trying to stifle the hands of justice for whatever reason.

According to him, "We have been under threat, my prosecution witnesses are being threatened as I’ve just said it in court, one of my key witnesses was murdered right in the presence of his family members and the others are now being hounded all over the place. One nearly ran into an electric pole, because he was being pursued as he was being frantically called and threatened.’’

He said further that, "The way forward is for Nigerians and Rivers people and the government to know that this is what the prosecution is facing, just because we have risen to the challenge of using the rule of law to sanitize this state.

He stated that, "It is not my duty as a prosecutor to give judgment. My duty is to place the facts that we have against anybody and let the court decide on the judgment of the matter. We are not interested in this matter beyond the public interest of ensuring law and order in the state."

Apart from shouting to the hearing of the world about the threat to the lives of the prosecutors, he said, the prosecution team was deterred.

Also speaking on the new development, the Defence Counsel, Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), said he had not received any threat from any quarter, while calling on those behind the threats to desist.

He also condemned the killing of Obom Gabriel and called on the security agencies to do more to unravel those behind the killing as well as provide better and adequate security for the life of all.

In his words, "I can assure you that I am as shocked as anybody is, because life of all is holy and the sanctity of life is not what anyone should be allowed to toy with. The circumstances are bizarre and I hope law enforcement agencies will address that issue and take up the challenge put up by this unfortunate incident."

The Amanyanabo of Koniju, King Captain Nemi Oputibeya Iyalla, and two others have been standing trial on an 11 count charge for aiding and abetting Ateke Tom in violent attack on the state before a Port Harcourt High Court.

The case had been causing stir in the state due to the caliber of persons who are feared might be mentioned to have played various roles in the criminal case as well as the degree of offence allegedly committed by suspects in the matter.

 

 

 
 
 
 
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