By: Felix Ikpotor
Ogoni Youth Federation, OYF, has applauded the judiciary for sentencing a police officer to death by hanging for killing a bus driver over N100 bribe in Port Harcourt.
Port Harcourt Spectator reports that a Port Harcourt High Court had sentenced Sergeant James Imanilu to death by hanging for the murder of late David Legbara, a commercial bus driver in 2015.
Justice Elsie Thompson in a Judgement delivered on Tuesday, found the dismissed Sergeant Imanilu guilty of the murder of Late Legbara at Wimpey junction in
Port Harcourt.
Legbara was shot at close range by the police officer for refusing to give him N100 bribe at Wimpey junction in Port Harcourt.
Justice Thompson ruled that the evidence before the court showed the Defendant intentionally fired a bullet at the commercial driver.
The Judge described the dismissed Sergeant James Imanilu as a serial trigger-happy policeman that should not be allowed to remain in society.
Reacting to the verdict, President-General of OYF, Comrade Legborsi Yamaabana urged youths not to keep silent when their rights are being infringed upon, adding that the judgment would serve as deterrent to other officers.
“We applaud the court for this landmark judgement. This shows that the court is still the last hope of the common man and that justice can only be delayed but cannot be denied, even though we cannot see our brother David Legbara again, we are glad that justice has been served and we hope that this verdict will serve as deterrent to other officers who are in the habit of taking laws into their hands and killing innocent people thereby tarnishing the hard-earned reputation of the Nigeria police force,” he said.
