In River State, Police Sergeant Sentenced To Death By Hanging For Killing Driver Over N100 Bribe
A dismissed police sergeant, James Imhalu, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of a commercial driver, David Legbara, in 2015 for refusing to pay N100 bribe.
Delivering the judgement, at a High Court in Port Harcourt, River State, Justice Elsie Thompson, said evidence before the court showed that the dismissed sergeant intentionally fired the shot at the commercial driver, at Whimpey Junction, Port Harcourt.
Justice Thompson described Imhalu as a serial trigger-happy policeman who should not be allowed to remain in the society.
The Prosecution Counsel, Kingsley Briggs, said the judgement would serve as succour to the deceased family, and a deterrent to other trigger-happy officers.
“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 stated.
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 judgement to know the next line of action.
He said, “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 concluded.