Justice Elsie Thompson of a High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has sentenced a dismissed police sergeant, James Imhalu, to death by hanging for the murder of a commercial driver over his refusal to pay a bribe of N100 in 2015.
Delivering judgment in the case on Wednesday, June 29, the presiding judge said the evidence provided by the prosecution team led by Kingsley Briggs, proved beyond any doubt that the sacked sergeant intentionally fired a shot at the commercial driver, Legbara David, at Whimpey Junction, Port Harcourt.
The judge described Imhalu as a serial trigger-happy policeman who should not be allowed to remain in the society.
Reacting to the judgement, the prosecution counsel, Kingsley Briggs, said it would serve as succour to the deceased’s family.
“Although the will of justice grinds slowly, surely justice will come. For the family of those that lost their breadwinner, it is quite unfortunate. But I believe this judgement will serve as succour to the family,” he said
On his part, a representative of the Legal Aid Council in Rivers State, who defended the sergeant, Mr Awaji, said his team would study the judgment to know the next line of action but says they are not looking at appealing the judgment for now.
“Today’s judgement I will say is justice for the people of Rivers State. Despite the fact that I represented the defendant, my analysis of the case when I came into the matter, I would say, I saw it coming.
Having listened to the judgement, currently, there is no plan to go on appeal. But by the time we look at the judgement in-depth, perhaps we will find grounds for appeal. But as it is, there is no plan to go on appeal.”he said
