ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has convicted two former members of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and sentenced them to death by hanging on Friday, for extra-judicial killing.
Recall that five members of the SARS team; Samuel Chigbu, Shedrack Ibibo, Magus Awuri, Ogoligo, and Olisa Emeka were standing trial for killing Michael Akor and Michael Igwe, while in their custody.
Akor and Igwe were accused of stealing recharge cards in Oyigbo, Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state in 2015.
However, it was gathered that during the trial period, Samuel Chigbu and Ogoligo died in custody at the correctional centre in Port Harcourt, while Shedrack Ibibo, Magus Awuri, and Olisa Emeka continued with the trial.
In her judgment, the trial judge, Justice M.O Opara, on Friday, found Shedrack Ibibo and Magus Awuri guilty of conspiracy to murder, but Olisa Emeka was acquitted.
On this premise, Justice Opara sentenced Shedrack Ibibo and Magus Awuri to death by hanging.
Meanwhile, the State prosecution council told journalists after the judgement that she was happy justice has been served.
She said: “The court found out that they actually were guilty of murdering the two deceased persons.
“The court discharged and acquitted Olisa Emeka based on the findings of the court because the prosecution did not prove his case concerning the last person.
“From the judgement, justice has been served to the family of the deceased and that makes me happy.
“It will serve as a deterrent hopefully to other police officers and also give some sort of closure to the families of the deceased persons.”
It was also gathered that the mother to one of those murdered, who gave her name as Kathrine Akoro, said the policemen would now experience a taste of their own medicine.
Akoro said: “They killed my son, carried our property in 2011. My son said I should forgive them, let them go and bring those things they took.
“I said if you are carrying all those property, bring my son, I will be okay. I thank God He has fought for me. I am happy.
“They said that place is good for anybody that killed innocent souls, sending them by force to the grave. They have already tested it. The remaining one here today, they have tested it.”