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A high court in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, has sentenced four persons to death by hanging over the killing of Bako Angbashim, former divisional police officer (DPO) of Ahoada East division.
Sika Aprioku, presiding judge, convicted Robinson Sonabari, Bright Okparawo, Precious Amaeze (also known as Selina), and Loveday Jack (popularly called Ragged Excess), after finding them guilty of conspiracy, murder, membership of a secret cult group and robbery.
Aprioku held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, including evidence that Sonabari, identified in court as a native doctor, prepared the charm allegedly used in the killing of the police officer.
The court ordered that the four convicts “be hanged on their neck until they are confirmed dead”.
Samuel Nwadinma, the sixth defendant, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for conspiracy, while the third defendant was discharged and acquitted of the four-count charge.
Angbashim was killed in September 2023 when his team was ambushed while returning from an operation. He was a superintendent of police at the time of his death.
Days after the incident, Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, placed a N100 million bounty on Gift Okpara, known as 2Baba, and members of his gang, over the murder.
On February 17, 2024, police operatives raided a camp linked to 2Baba. The command later said that although he and members of his gang escaped during a gun battle, intelligence reports subsequently confirmed his death after he lost consciousness and efforts to revive him failed.
In June 2025, the Rivers police command announced the arrest of two suspected cultists in connection with the killing.
Reacting to the judgment, Chigozie Amadi, lead prosecution counsel from the Rivers ministry of justice, commended the court for what he described as a thorough process.
“Justice is not only seen to have been done but has manifestly been done. This was a protracted case, and we thank the judge as well as both the prosecution and defence counsel,” he said.
“It is a capital offence, and we worked hard to prove our case beyond a reasonable doubt. Today, justice has been served for the gruesome murder of SP Bako Amgbashim.”
Celestine Dickson, counsel for the principal legal assistant, Nigeria Police Force, said police officers have increasingly become targets of criminal gangs.
He expressed hope that the judgment would serve as a deterrent to those who attack law enforcement personnel.
