A Magistrates’ Court in Port Harcourt has ordered the remand of Dele Akpobari in custody over the alleged attempted murder of Chief Gani Topba, an activist and leader of the Conscience of Ogoni People.
The incident occurred on March 12, 2023, when Topba was ambushed by gunmen while traveling from his community of Zaakpo in the Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State to Port Harcourt. He was shot multiple times and left critically injured.
Three other suspects linked to the attack are already in custody at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre, awaiting trial as a result of a remand order issued by a State High Court.
Akpobari, who is also known by the alias “Bon Satan,” was arrested by detectives from the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Rivers State Police Command. During his appearance in court for a remand hearing requested by Commissioner of Police Mohammed Mustapha, Chief Magistrate Rosemary Banigo declined jurisdiction over the case. Consequently, the charges were not read, and no plea was taken.
The Chief Magistrate instructed that the case file be forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecutions for legal advice. The court has adjourned the matter to November 12, 2024, for proper arraignment and trial. Akpobari faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, cultism, and illegal possession of firearms, as the legal proceedings continue.