26th September, 2023
PRESS RELEASE
DIRECTORATE OF PUBLIC PROSECUTION (DPP) EXONERATES APOSTLE MICHAEL AKPO, INSPR IGNATIUS AGHAZIE, AND ASP MESORO VICTOR, SAY THERE IS ” NO PRIMA FACIE CASE” OF THE OFFENCE OF MURDER AGAINST THEM
The Delta State Police Command is aware of a misleading narrative posted on Pararan Mock News about the death of two young men: Charles Okpako and Ejiro Ekeipovwe, allegedly murdered on 12/7/2023 by yet-to-be-identified security operatives at Ogbolokposu community, Uvwie LGA.
It is germane to expound that the Delta State Police Command does not want to enter into any form of social media debate with the said Pararan but for avoidance of doubt and for members of the public not to be misled by his false narratives, the Command wishes to state as follows;
On 14/07/2022 at about 1400hrs, one Rhoda Ese Okpako and one Erhiga Omavovwe Andrew reported a case of murder against one Apostle Michael Akpor and his police escort alleging that the Policemen on escort duty with the Apostle shot at a tricycle killing the duo of Charles Okpako and Ejiro Ekeipovwe. The case was transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for thorough investigation. During the investigation, the following findings were unveiled:
- The tricycle rider stated that he was shot by policemen on escort duty but did not see their faces
- The eye witness Festus Ebereri who stated that he was there and could identify the Vehicle the apostle used on the same date if seen, but could not identify the said vehicle during the identification parade of the Apostle’s vehicle when placed alongside four other similar vehicles while the police officer whom he alleged to have pulled the trigger was clearly on another assignment on the day of the incident, so he was neither in Ogbolokoso nor with the Apostle at the time of the incidence
- The Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage confirmed that Apostle Michael Akpor came out of his vehicle to the church premises at about 1200hrs and entered the vehicle to leave the church premises at about 2100hrs.
Upon completion of the investigation, a duplicate case file was submitted to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for relevant advice. It is pertinent to note that the DPP, having done a painstaking review of the casefile submitted, categorically states that there is no “prima facie” case of the offense of murder against APOSTLE MICHAEL AKPOR, INSP IGNATIUS AGHAZIE, and ASP MESORO VICTOR.
The Commissioner of Police Delta State, CP. wale Abass extends his condolences to their families, assures that the command is fully committed to conducting a thorough investigation into the death, and further promises to unveil the identities of the suspected uniform security officers involved in the heinous act.
Additionally, the Delta State Police Commissioner advises the public against engaging in cyberstalking, as it is a clear violation of the Cyber Crime Act, of 2015. He therefore warns any person or group of persons, especially media personalities, bloggers, and social media influencers, who are in the constant attitude of stalking fellow citizens over the internet, that they should desist from such acts, or else they would be promptly arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
The CP urges the public to remain calm; and that anyone who may possess relevant information that can assist the investigative process could send in information anonymously through the command’s Social Media handles or call the command’s dedicated lines (09155570007; 09155570008) for immediate response.
DSP. EDAFE BRIGHT, FCIA, FIPMD
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
DELTA STATE COMMAND,
ASABA.
