Sentenced Police Officer Ubi Ebri
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- Mr Ebri shot Mr Ibeh at a checkpoint in front of his pregnant wife
- The incident sparked protests in Asaba
- The prosecution welcomed the verdict as a victory for justice
A police inspector attached to the Delta State Police Command, Ubi Ebri, has been sentenced to death by the state High Court sitting in Asaba.
Mr Ebri was convicted of killing a telephone dealer, Emmanuel Onyeka Ibeh, by Justice C.D. Diai.
Mr Ibeh was shot dead on 5 April 2023 at a police checkpoint along Ugbolu Road in front of his newly wedded, pregnant wife.
The couple were driving to Asaba when the police team, on stop and search duty, flagged down their car.
The deceased waited in his car to be attended to, but when the officers were not forthcoming he decided to drive away. He was then shot by Mr Ebri.
The incident sparked outrage in Asaba, as youths across the capital city protested the murder, parading Mr Ibeh’s body along the streets.
The Commissioner of Police in the state at the time, Ali Mohammed Ari, assuaged the protesting youths, assuring them that the culprit would be arrested and made to face justice.
Prosecution lawyer, Mr E.H. Edema, a Director from the state Ministry of Justice, told the court that Mr Ebri was a member of the police team at the checkpoint where the incident happened.
Speaking after the judgement, Mr Edema described the verdict as a landmark, noting that “justice has been served in this case to the deceased and the society at large.”
Fidel Ifeanyi Ibeh, elder brother of the deceased, who witnessed the judgement, also commended the court for delivering justice to his family
