The hearing for the murder trial of 12 suspects linked to the death of Police Inspector, Christiana Erekere at the Rivers State High Court, Port Harcourt, suffered a setback due to lack of legal representation.
The suspects are facing thirteen counts, including conspiracy to commit murder and murder, among other capital charges for their alleged involvement amid Inspector Erekere on April 25, 2024, while on stop-and-check duty at a police checkpoint in the Taaba community of Khana Local Government Area.
According to reports, the deceased Inspector and her team questioned the validity of the documents for one of the vehicles the suspects were travelling in and things soon escalated into a mob attack which led to Erekere’s death.
Further findings have it that the suspects were reportedly travelling from Delta State to Akwa Ibom State for a wedding when they allegedly committed the crime.
The suspects arraigned in court include Joy Uheraka, Shirley Wealth, Napoleon Uheraka, Ejiro Ejogbamu, Moses Agege, Precious Iyota, Kikelomo Odusanyo, Wealth Ojoh, Efeoghene Uheraka, Ighofose Oke, Blessing Ovie, and Emeka Joshua.
When the matter came up on Tuesday, one of the defendants informed the judge that she had not yet secured legal representation.
The trial Judge Justice Augusta Chukwu said the plea of the suspect cannot be taken without the presence of a legal representation and adjourned the case until November 15.