A Port-Harcourt High Court has adjourned till June 15 for continuation of hearing in the case against four dismissed officers being prosecuted by Rivers State Government.
The four dismissed officers are facing prosecution for alleged murder and act with intent to maim over alleged brutality of five Ikokwu mechanics which had led to the death of one of the mechanics.
Presiding judge of the court, Honourable Justice Florence Fiberesima, adjourned the case on Wednesday, May 18 with the absence of the prosecuting counsel, Chidi Ekeh, when the case was called.
The prosecuting counsel who was in court for the trial had stepped out momentarily when the case was called and then adjourned.
The trial was for cross-examination of third prosecution witness by counsel to second defendant.
The four dismissed officers Ayogu Fidelis, Eke Chibuzor, Egbunafu Felix and Rose Georgewill were in court for the trial and had been called out to the dock before the case was subsequently adjourned.
The four dismissed officers face five counts of alleged murder and act with intent to maim over alleged brutality of five Ikokwu mechanics leading to the death of one of the mechanics Chima Ikwunado.
When the dismissed officers went on trial, there was outrage on social media with users calling for justice for victims of the alleged brutality.
The five Ikokwu mechanics were arrested in December 2019 by operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for allegedly driving against traffic and were taken to the Mile One Police Station.
The dismissed officers were first tried by a magistrate court when they were arraigned by Rivers State Police Command before the matter was moved to High Court when the State Government had taken over the case.
Speaking in an interview at one instance, the prosecuting counsel, Chidi Ekeh, said that it was the responsibility of the State to prosecute crime saying crimes were committed against the State and not against individuals.
