A High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has granted bail to several individuals, including former Ahoada East Local Government Area Chairman, Cassidy Ikegbidi, and traditional ruler HRM Ngozi Onugwo. These individuals are currently facing trial for the alleged murder of Divisional Police Officer Bako Angbanshin in Odumude community, Rivers State, purportedly carried out by suspected Iceland cult gangs.
Notably, HRM Onugwo, recognized as the Eze Ekpeye Logbo, and Ikegbidi secured their bail on health grounds. Presiding over the matter, Justice Sika Aprioku ruled in favor of the bail applications, setting the bail amount at N10 million each for Ikegbidi and Onugwo. The sureties, according to the judge, must hold the rank of Permanent Secretary in the civil service or be a government-recognized traditional ruler from the Ahoada area.
Furthermore, Justice Aprioku granted bail of N5 million to the five remaining accused individuals, with a similar surety requirement, this time, a level 16 civil servant. The cumulative bail amount thus reached N45 million. As a condition, the accused were instructed to surrender their travel documents, including passports, to the court.
The trial judge scheduled the next court appearance for December 8, 2023, marking the commencement of the trial proceedings. The charges against the accused span a range of serious offenses, including alleged conspiracy to murder, the murder itself of SP Bako Angbashim, the former Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada Police Division, as well as allegations of sponsorship of cultism.
IMAGE: PH Gist
