Groom, 11 others remanded for murder of female police officer in Rivers

Twelve suspects linked to the murder of police inspector Christiana Erekere have been remanded at the Port Harcourt Correctional Facility by a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt.

The suspects are standing trial on 13 charges, including conspiracy to murder and murder.

Inspector Erekere was killed on April 25, 2024, while on stop-and-check duty at a police checkpoint in Taaba community, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State by individuals travelling to Akwa-Ibom State for a wedding ceremony

Reports indicate that trouble began when a police team questioned the validity of the documents of one of the cars the suspects were travelling in, leading to a mob action that resulted in her death.

The suspects include the groom identified as Efeoghene Uwheraka, Joy Uwhereka, Shirley Wealth, Napoleon Uwhereka, Ejiro Ejogbamu, Moses Agege, and Precious Iyota.

Others are Kikelomo Odusanya, Wealth Ojoh, Ighofose Oke, Blessing Ovie, and Emeka Joshua.

The 12 suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges read against them.

The trial judge, Justice Augusta Chukwu, refused the bail applications submitted by the defendants’ lawyers and adjourned the matter until October 8 for an accelerated hearing.