Dismissed Sergeant To Die By Hanging For Killing Driver Because Of N100

A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has sentenced a dismissed police sergeant James Imhalu to death by hanging for the murder of a driver.

The accused had committed the crime in 2015 after the deceased refused to pay an N100 bribe.

Delivering judgement on the case, the presiding judge, Justice Elsie Thompson said the defendant was a serial trigger-happy policeman who should not be allowed in the society.

She noted that he intentionally fired a shot at the commercial driver, Legbara David, at Whimpey Junction, Port Harcourt.

The prosecution counsel, Kingsley Briggs, said the judgement would serve as succour to the deceased’s family.

His words: “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.”

The counsel to the defendant, a representative of the Legal Aid Council in Rivers State, Mr Awaji said his team would study the judgement to know the next line of action.

He said, “Today’s judgement I will say is justice for the people of Rivers State.

“Even though 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.”