JUST IN: Four persons sentenced to death over murder of DPO
JUST IN: Four persons sentenced to death over murder of DPO
A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has sentenced four men to death by hanging for the murder of former Ahoada East divisional police officer, Bako Angbashim.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Sika Aprioku, Robinson Sonabari, Bright Okparawo, Precious Amaeze (also known as Selina), and Loveday Jack (popularly called Ragged Excess) were found guilty of conspiracy, murder, membership of a secret cult group, and robbery.
Justice Aprioku ruled that the prosecution successfully established the defendants’ guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The judge highlighted evidence showing that Sonabari, described 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 accused, received a three-year prison sentence for conspiracy, while the third defendant was discharged and acquitted of the charges.
Angbashim, who was a superintendent of police at the time of his death, was killed in September 2023 when his team was ambushed while returning from an operation.
Following the attack, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara placed a N100 million bounty on Gift Okpara, also known as 2Baba, and members of his gang. In February 2024, police raided a camp linked to 2Baba. The command later said he and his gang escaped during a gun battle, but intelligence reports later confirmed his death after he lost consciousness and could not be revived.
In June 2025, the Rivers police command announced the arrest of two suspected cultists in connection with the killing.
Reacting to the verdict, lead prosecution counsel Chigozie Amadi of the Rivers Ministry of Justice praised the court for its handling of the case.
“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 of the Nigeria Police Force, warned that police officers are increasingly targeted by criminal gangs and expressed hope that the ruling would deter future attacks on law enforcement personnel.
