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Court sends Rivers’ monarch back home over cybercrime charges

Court sends Rivers’ monarch back home over cybercrime charges

• One-day-old baby found dead in Port Harcourt sewer

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has remanded Eze Risi Ohia-Emeri Abali of Rebisi, Cyprian Amadi-Worenwu, to Port Harcourt Prison after he was charged with cybercrime.

The traditional ruler is said to have sent a threatening message to retired judge Adolphus Enebeli, leaving him in fear of death.

The message, which was sent on March 28, 2023, is also said to have threatened the judge’s son and involved knowledge of his workplace.

However, the suspect pleaded not guilty to the charge and the trial judge, Justice Emmanuel Obele, refused an oral bail application by the defence, AS Amadi, while the prosecution, ASP Walter Ogwuikpile, opposed it.

The Public Prosecution Service opposed the application, citing the seriousness of the offence, which is contrary to section 24 (BC) I. Prohibition Prevention etc Acts 2015.

Judge Obele adjourned his case until July 29 to determine whether he would be released on bail, but he was remanded in custody until the next adjourned date.

Detectives of the Rivers State Criminal Investigation Department arrested and detained the suspect after he ignored police invitations over his alleged threat to the life of retired Justice Enebeli and his family members.

Meanwhile, vigilante Diobu made a disturbing discovery yesterday during their morning patrol in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Group members found the lifeless body of a newborn boy in a manhole cover along Ekwe/Ikwerre road, Mile 3 Diobu, Port Harcourt at around 5am.

Nkpolu Orowurokwo’s Chief Security Officer, Godstime Ihunwo, who is associated with the Diobu vigilantes, confirmed the incident and described the scene as a “gruesome find”.

Ihunwo said he immediately reported the incident to Nkpolu police and contacted a human rights activist.

He explained: “In the early hours of today, July 23, at about 5:00am, I and my team were on patrol. When we arrived at Ikwerre Road/Ekwe Street, Mile 3 Diobu, Port Harcourt, we discovered that a newborn baby had been dumped in a manhole cover.

“We discovered that the baby was dead. It was a male. I rushed to Nkpolu Police Division to make a note. I also contacted Prince Wiro, a human rights activist.”

Prince Wiro, the national coordinator of the Centre for the Protection of Basic Rights and Accountability campaign, condemned the actions of the unidentified mother, describing them as “the height of evil.”

Wiro urged residents who have information about the child’s mother to contact police.

He said: “It is sad that before the vigilante group discovered the boy, he was already dead. The action of the mother of the child is a crime punishable under Nigerian law.”

We take this opportunity to urgently request any residents who may have useful information about the identity of the child’s mother to contact the police so that the necessary measures can be taken.”

Spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe Koko, confirmed the development, saying the police have contacted the relevant agency for possible evacuation of the corpse while investigations are underway.

She urged residents who may have useful information about who may have dumped the baby to report it to their nearest police department.