A court in Rivers State has ordered that Saviour Robert be held in the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre for trying to kill Chief Gani Topba, the Leader of Conscience of Ogoni People, in 2023.
The remand order was given by Chief Magistrate Sotonye Harry after an application in a remand warrant by the prosecution.
During the court session on Tuesday, the prosecution mentioned the remand warrant, citing Section 300 of the Supreme Court of Justice Nigeria Act.
The prosecution stated that the case involves attempted murder, cultism, and other similar offenses as outlined in criminal law of the state, particularly in pursuit of Section 320 of the Criminal Code of Rivers State Administration of Justice.
The police prosecutor also explained that the application, supported by a one-page affidavit from Inspector Stephen of the Anti-Cultism Unit on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, was necessary because other defendants implicated in the same offense are already being tried in other courts.
After hearing the prosecution, Chief Magistrate Sotonye Harry did not allow the defense counsel to announce her appearance but ordered that the accused be remanded in prison.
She also instructed that the case file be sent to the Department of Public Prosecution for advice and adjourned the case until May 2, 2024.
Activist Chief Gani Topba was attacked on March 12, 2023, while returning from his hometown, Zaapko community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State. He was shot multiple times and left for dead before being helped by passersby and taken to the hospital.
