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.
