Police officer docked for aiding murder suspect’s escape

Th e police have arraigned a dismissed police sergeant, Johnbosco Okoroeze, before a chief magistrate’s court in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, on two counts bordering on obstruction of justice and conspiracy, Okoroeze was accused of allegedly aiding the escape of a suspected ritual killer, Ifeanyi Dike from the State Criminal Investigative and Intelligent Department, Port Harcourt. Th e prime suspect, Dike, was alleged to defi le, killed and removed the organs of one Miss Victory Nmezuwuba, before he was arrested and taken to the SCIID. Okoroeze, who was the Investigating Police Offi cer, was said to have removed the suspect’s handcuff s while he took his statements. Th e victim’s father, Dr Ernest Nmezuwuba, who was also in the charge room at the time, said there was no power supply in the area, adding that the suspect (Dike) used candlelight while making his statements.

Th e suspect was reported to have fl ed the SCIID under the cover of darkness and his whereabouts had remained unknown. Sequel to that, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ahmed Zaki, ordered the dismissal and arraignment of Okoroeze for criminal conspiracy. Th e charges read, “Th at you, Johnbosco Okoroeze, on August 19, 2017, at about 8.30pm at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Port Harcourt, in the Port Harcourt Magisterial District, did assist one Ifeanyi Dike, who is to your knowledge guilty of the off ence of murder of one Chikamso Nmezuwuba, aged eight years, for rituals, to escape when he was to be detained for prosecution, thereby committing an off ence punishable under Section 322 of the Criminal Code Cap 37, Vol. II, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.

“Th at you, Johnbosco Okoroeze, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district, did conspire with a suspect, Ifeanyi Dike, and allowed him to escape from prosecution to prevent and defeat the course of justice, thereby committing an off ence punishable under Section 126 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap 37, Vol. II, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999.” In her ruling, the chief magistrate observed that while the fi rst charge could earn Okoroeze a life sentence if found guilty, the second charge could earn the dismissed police sergeant a seven-year jail term if found guilty. Th e chief magistrate then remanded the suspect in prison and adjourned matter till September 14, 2017 for adoption of written addresses

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