Ex-Police officers, Ayogu Fidelis, Eke Chibuzor, Egbunefu Felix and Rose Georgewill, who have been accused of causing the death of an auto mechanic, late Chima Ikwunado, and torturing, brutalizing and inflicting inhuman treatment and acts of indignity on four other traders at the Ikwoku spare parts market, now popularly referred to as the Ikokwu 5, have told a Port Harcourt High Court that they are innocent of the charges preferred against them.

They pleaded not guilty before Justice Florence Fiberesima who presided over the case in Port Harcourt today.

This is coming as the Rivers State Government has also took over the prosecution of the case from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The four former policemen, who have been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force, were members of the Eagle Crack squad of Mile One Police Station, Port Harcourt.

The case was, however, stalled at the High Court sitting in Port Harcourt due to the defense counsels opposing the continuation of the case since the proof of evidence of service was not cleared and all documents needed as evidence were not found in the originating summons.

The trial judge, Justice Florence Fiberesima, in her ruling, ordered the prosecution counsel to make available all the necessary materials it would rely upon in the matter to the defence counsel before the next adjourned date and ordered that the suspects to be remanded at Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

She adjourned the case to October 20, 2020 for trial of the matter to fully commence.

Counsel to the 1st and 4th defendant, David Abuo, and counsel to the 3rd defendant, Allen Nwakanma, explained that they did not allow the trial to go on due to their demand for evidences and clear copy of proof of service.

On his part, the prosecution counsel, Chidi Ekeh promised to make available all the required material to the defence counsels as directed by the court.