A police inspector associated with the Delta State Police Command, Ubi Ebri, has been handed a death sentence by the state High Court in Asaba. The conviction, delivered by Justice C.D. Diai, pertains to the murder of Emmanuel Onyeka Ibeh, a telephone dealer.
The tragic incident occurred on April 5, 2023, when Mr. Ibeh was shot at a police checkpoint on Ugbolu Road. He was traveling with his newly wedded, pregnant wife when their car was flagged down by a police team conducting a stop-and-search operation. After waiting in his car for the officers to approach, Mr. Ibeh decided to drive away when no one attended to them. It was at this point that Inspector Ebri fired the fatal shot.
The killing of Mr. Ibeh sparked widespread outrage in Asaba, prompting youths across the city to protest. They paraded his body through the streets, demanding justice for the senseless act.
In response to the public outcry, the Commissioner of Police at the time, Ali Mohammed Ari, assured the protesters that the responsible officer would be arrested and held accountable.
The prosecution lawyer, Mr. E.H. Edema, a Director from the state Ministry of Justice, argued in court that Mr. Ebri was part of the police team present at the checkpoint during the incident. Following the verdict, Mr. Edema hailed the judgement as a landmark decision, emphasizing that justice had been served for both the deceased and society at large.
Fidel Ifeanyi Ibeh, the elder brother of the deceased, also expressed his satisfaction with the court’s decision, commending the judiciary for delivering justice to his family.