…As Second Prosecution Witness Is Cross-Examined
The presiding judge of a Port-Harcourt High Court handling the Ikokwu trial, Honourable Justice Florence Fiberesima, has said that the Ikokwu trial was a matter of priority interest involving trial of four dismissed officers for alleged torture of five Ikokwu mechanics leading to death of one.
She stated this at the end of cross-examination on Wednesday in which second prosecution witness was cross-examined by counsel to second defendant.
The matter was for continuation of cross-examination.
During cross-examination counsel to second defendant, Barrister Emenike Geoffrey Eke, cross-examined second prosecution witness, Ifeanyi Osuji, who had said he was arrested on December 19, 2019.
The counsel asked on which date he was tortured and he said it was on 19 December after been arrested and taken to Mile One Police Station.
However witness was slow to grasp questions and sparked fire between prosecuting and cross-examining counsel.
The cross-examining counsel said that defendants did not beat second prosecution witness on 18, 20 and 23 December 2019 and witness agreed he was not beaten on those dates.
He also agreed with counsel he did not say in statement at Eagle Crack Unit he was beaten.
He however said he told the officer in charge of the unit that he was beaten by the defendants and agreed he made statement at State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) where he said he was beaten by defendants.
However the cross-examining counsel said what was recorded was that it was Ifeanyi Onyekwere and others and not him who were beaten and macheted.
The witness said that he signed a statement written by others.
He said the man who brought cars for repair was known to them and had come for Chima Ikwurunado who allegedly died in detention on the day they were arrested.
The case was adjourned to 6, 14 and 15 October for continuation of hearing as the presiding judge said the matter was a priority case.
The defendants were in court during the cross-examination.
The four dismissed officers face five counts of murder and act with intent to maim.
The defendants Ayogu Fidelis, Eke Chibuzo, Egbunafu Felix and Sergeant Rose Georgewill pleaded not guilty to the charges.
They were first arraigned by the state police command and the case was later taken by Rivers State government.
The five Ikokwu mechanics were arrested in December 2019 for allegedly driving against traffic.
One of the mechanics, Chima Ikwunado, allegedly died in detention because of alleged police torture.
The case was first tried at magistrate court before it was moved to High Court for prosecution of the officers.
A defence counsel previously said in an interview that his client was facing trumped-up charges saying he was watching proceedings to protect his interest.
The alleged torture of the mechanics generated public outcry as social media users called for prosecution of the officers and justice for the victims.
The victims were allegedly tortured by the officers as operatives of disbanded Eagle Crack unit.
While giving evidence the second prosecution witness said that they were tortured by the officers.
Ifeanyi Osuji told the court that they were arrested for driving against traffic adding the police had taken their money and phones after the arrest.
The five victims of alleged police brutality include Ifeanyi Onyekwere, Ifeanyi Osuji, Chima Ikwunado (who died in detention) Osaze Friday and Victor Ogbonna.
