Rivers Court Sentences Four to Death for Murder of Former Ahoada DPO, Bako Amgbashim
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has convicted and sentenced four persons to death by hanging for the brutal murder of Superintendent of Police Bako Amgbashim, former Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada East Police Division.
Delivering judgment, Justice Sika Aprioku held that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt the charges of conspiracy, murder, membership of a secret cult group, and robbery against the convicts, including a native doctor alleged to have prepared charms used in the killing.
The judge convicted Samuel Nwadinma (sixth defendant), and sentenced him to three years Imprisonment for conspiracy.
The Court further discharged Time Served: Famous Okechukwu, Samuel Uchendu, Oyekachi Ikonwa, Godbless Nnamdi, and Marshall Daniel (9th–13th defendants), found guilty of cult membership but had already served the maximum term while in custody.
The judge ruled that the first defendant, Robinson Sonabari (native doctor), the second defendant, Bright Okparawo, the fourth defendant, Precious Amaeze (alias Selina), and the fifth defendant, Loveday Jack (alias Rugged Excess) were sentenced to death by hanging.
Justice Aprioku emphasised that INEC‑style compliance principles apply equally in criminal trials: the prosecution must prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. He concluded that the evidence established the defendants’ culpability in the conspiracy and murder of SP Amgbashim.
Prosecution Counsel, Chigozie Amadi (Rivers State Ministry of Justice): commended the judiciary, noting that justice was “manifestly done” in a capital offence case.
Also reacting, Police Legal Counsel, Celestine Dickson expressed hope that the judgment would deter criminal gangs targeting police officers.
Meanwhile, the elder brother of the deceased, Late DPO Akasco Amgbashim, described the ruling as a reminder that no individual has the right to take another’s life, and thanked the judiciary, Rivers State Government, and the Nigeria Police Force for ensuring justice.
The four convicts were among 72 initially arraigned by a joint prosecution team of the Department of Public Prosecutions and Rivers State Police Command.
As trial progressed, 61 defendants, including a traditional ruler (Eze Kelvin Anugwo, Ekpeye Logbo) and a former LGA chairman (Cassidy Ikegbidi), were discharged for lack of evidence.
SP Amgbashim, known for his uncompromising stance against cultism and violent crime, was ambushed and murdered on September 8, 2023, in Odemude community, Ahoada East LGA.
His killing triggered a major security operation, during which Iceland cult leader David Okparanwo (alias 2‑Baba) was neutralised in February 2024.
