A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has granted bail to 4 out of the 12 suspects involved in the gruesome murder of four undergraduate students of the University of Port Harcourt last year at Omuokiri community in Aluu, Rivers State.
The four persons are accused of negligence and they include the traditional ruler of Omuokiri, Alhaji Hassan Walewa, Okoghiro Endurance, Ozioma Abajua and Chigozie Evans.
Presiding judge, justice Letam Nyordee said he granted the bail considering the nature of their offence and also on health grounds as it concerned the traditional leader.
Justice Nyordee also made reference to section 118 of the Criminal Law of Rivers State 1998 that gives the court liberty to grant bail at its discretion.
He, therefore, granted them bail with the sum of N2 million, with the conditions that the accused persons must provide of 2 sureties that must own landed properties in Port Harcourt, must provide tax payment certificates for the past 2 years.
Meanwhile, after granting bail to four out of the twelve accused persons, Justice Nyordee started proper hearing on the matter with Deputy Superintendent of Police, Raphael Ezeji standing as witness.
Ezeji, who belongs to the Rivers State CID presented the court with documents, photographs and video evidences of the crime.
Counsels to the 3rd and 7th accused persons, Emmanuel John and O.C Mbaba objected to the evidences, questioning their authenticity and relevance.
However, in the course of tendering the evidences, Solicitor General of Rivers State and the Chief Prosecutor, Rufus Godwins maintained that the materials submitted as evidence were relevant and admissible.
Dailypost reports that tears flowed freely as the video of the incident was showed in the court.
In the meantime, the court adjourned further ruling and hearing on the matter till October 31.
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