Aluu4: Mixed reactions trail verdict

Reactions have have continued to trail the judgment of the High Court that sentenced three to death and discharged four of those who participated in the killing of four undergraduate students of the University of Port Harcourt.
Justice Letam Nyordee had in his judgment berated the police and other security outfits for neglecting their responsibilities of protecting lives and property.

The Judge also said those who were acquitted of any wrongdoing were discharged because of lack of “overwhelming evidence” to nail them to the murder of the students.
Meanwhile, some parents who spoke with DAILY POST have reacted differently to the decision of the court in the matter.
A mother of two based in Port Harcourt, Theresa Nwugbo expressed disappointment at the judgment.
Nwugbo said the court failed to consider a lot of other factors that led to the killing of the young men, adding that the court should have used its powers to direct the police to make more arrests.

According to her, “We all saw that video of what happened in Aluu. So they want to tell us that it is only three people that killed four students. How can three people kill four students. Why should the court discharge the Traditional Ruler of that community where that thing happened. Why?
“They were not supposed to release the traditional ruler because he also failed in his responsibility to maintain order. He could have called the police covering his area and the police would have listened to him. He has youths groups in that community, he has the CDC, he has everything to stop that killing that day but he did nothing. He is supposed to be in jail even if it is for some years to teach other traditional rulers a lesson.

“And the police. I heard it was just one police officer that was sentenced. The one that was sentenced was part of a patrol team that went to the scene of the crime that day before they pulled out. All members of the patrol team including the DPO that pulled them out should not be allowed to go just like that. There is something wrong with this country, I am telling you.
“This judgment has not addressed or even corrected any societal ill. It must be appealed.”

On his part, Sunny Ogan commended the judge saying; ” The Judge has done well. Three people were sentenced out of twelve. I think it is okay. I am particularly happy that a policeman was part of those sentenced. This should serve as a deterrent to other over zealous police officers.
“I don’t think delivering this judgment was easy for the judge. You can imaging this matter has been on for more than five years. If it was easy judgment would have been delivered along time ago. So let us commend him.
“The judge, the lawyers, the parents of those that were killed, families of those in prison and even you the media people can now rest. Me I’m happy the matter has ended.
“I just wish that we have all learnt lessons from what happened.”
Similarly, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Doctor Ipalibo Harry Banigo has commended the judiciary over the judgement on the Aluu-Four murder case.
The position of the Deputy Governor was contained in a statement from the Government House in Port Harcourt.
Doctor Banigo called for collaborative efforts of all stakeholders to check confrontation between students and their host communities.

Four students of the University of Port Harcourt, Torku Lloyd, Ugonna Obuzor, Chidiaka Biring and Tekena Elkanah were on October 5, 2012 killed in a mob action at Omokiri community, Aluu in Ikwerre Local government area of Rivers state.