A magistrate’s court in Port Harcourt on Tuesday ordered Dele Akpobari to remain in detention over the alleged attempted murder of Gani Topba, an activist and leader of Ogoni People activist.
Topba was ambushed while travelling from his community, Zaakpo in the Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State to Port Harcourt on March 12, 2023.
He was shot many times, leaving him gravely injured.
Three suspects linked to the crime are already in custody at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre, awaiting trial, following a remand order issued by a State High Court. Akpobari, also known by the alias “Bon Satan,” was arrested by detectives from the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Rivers State Police Command.
When Akpobari appeared before the Magistrates’ Court for a remand hearing filed by the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Mustapha, the presiding Chief Magistrate, Rosemary Banigo, declined jurisdiction over the case. As a result, the charges were not read, nor was a plea taken.
Chief Magistrate Banigo directed that the case file be forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecutions for legal advice. She adjourned the matter to 12 November 2024 for proper arraignment and trial.
Akpobari faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, cultism, and illegal possession of firearms.
