Magistrates’ Court in Port Harcourt on Tuesday ordered the remand of Dele Akpobari in custody over the alleged attempted m8rder of Chief Gani Topba, an activist and leader of the Conscience of Ogoni People. Topba was travelling from his community, Zaakpo, in the Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State to Port Harcourt on March 12, 2023 when gunmen ambushed and shot him multiple times, leaving him critically 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 m8rder, cultism, and illegal possession of firearms.
