Aluu4: Accused Persons Plead Not Guilty To Substituted Charge

 The Earlier charge against the allege killers of four University of Port Harcourt students popularly refer to as Aluu4, was on Thursday substituted with afresh charges when one more accused was added to the earlier 11 standing trial for murder. The newly added accused now makes it 12 accused persons standing trial for killing the Aluu4

The  presiding judge L.L Nyordee  Port Harcourt High Court granted leave to the State Counsel to substitute the former charge.

When the new charge was read, the current 12 accused persons pleaded not guilty.

The suspects are being charged with murder and negligence/refusal to prevent felony.

Counsel to the 9th Defendant and former Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association, O.C.J. Okocha (SAN) had argued that the Prosecution, under any law, has no liberty to withdraw and substitute original charges.

The Prosecution led by Solicitor General of Rivers, Rufus Godwin, had appealed for the substitution on the strength of the addition of one more suspect to the case.

Deciding on the argument, Justice Nyordee eventually granted the leave of substitution of charges.

Justice Nyordee subsequently adjourned the case to 15th August to  consider bail for the suspects .

Four UNIPORT’s students, Binnga Lordson of Theartre Arts, Ugonna Obuzor (Geology), Mike Toku (Civil Engineering) and Tekena Erikene were murdered by an out of control mob October 5th 2012 in Aluu, Ikwerre local government area.