Extrajudicial Killing: Two Ex-SARS Cops Sentenced to Death

A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, has convicted and sentenced to death by hanging, two former members of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad for extra-judicial killing.

Five members of the SARS team, ASP Samuel Chigbu, Shedrack Ibibo, Magus Awuri, Ogoligo, and Olisa Emeka, were standing trial for killing Michael Akor and Michael Igwe, while in their custody for allegedly stealing recharge cards in Oyigbo, Oyigbo Local Government Area in 2015.

But Chigbu and Ogoligo died in custody at the correctional centre in Port Harcourt, while Ibibo, Awuri, and Emeka continued with the trial.

The trial judge, Justice M. O. Opara, in her judgment found Ibibo and Awuri guilty of conspiracy to murder, while Emeka was acquitted.

Speaking after the judgment, the state prosecution council expressed satisfaction with the judgment.

She said, “The Court found out that they actually were guilty of murdering the two deceased persons. The court discharged and acquitted Olisa Emeka based on the findings of the court because the prosecution did not prove its case concerning the last person.

“From the judgment, justice has been served to the family of the deceased and that makes me happy. It will serve as a deterrent hopefully to other police officers and also give some sort of closure to the families of the deceased persons.”

The mother of one of those murdered, Kathrine Akoro, also expressed happiness over the judgment, saying the policemen would have a taste of their own medicine.

She said, “They killed my son, and carried our property in 2011. My son said I should forgive them, let them go and bring those things they took.”