The ongoing case against several members of the Aluu community in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, over the brutal killing of four young boys last year went on yesterday as 4 of the accused were granted bail.

Alhaji Hassan Welewa, the paramount ruler of the community, along with three others, identified as Okoghiroh Endurance, Ozioma Abajuo and Chigozie Evans Samuel, were granted bail yesterday in the suit heard by Justice Letam Nyordee of a State High Court.

Members of the community were charged with either actively taking part in the murder of Ugonna Obuzor, 18  Lloyd Toku Mike, 19,  Chiadika Biringa, 20, and Tekena Elkannah, 20 or standing idly by while said murder took place.

The Nation reports:

Granting the bail, the Judge recalled that the criminal information filed by the state against the accused persons had eight counts charge. While accused persons one to eight were charged with murder, accused persons nine to 12 were charged with felony to prevent murder.

Justice Nyordee said: “The offence for which the ninth – 12th suspects were charged provides two years imprisonment if convicted.

“Bail is a legal right of anybody standing criminal charge trial, if it is applied for.

“The case of murder, which the first eight accused persons are charged with, is capital and serious in nature and, as the result, no bail will be granted to them. However, bail is granted to the ninth-12th accused persons in the sum of N2million each.”

Retired Sergeant Lucky Orji and seven others including Ikechukwu Louis Amadi (aka Kapoon), David Chinasa Ogbada, Abiodun Yusuf (16), Joshua Ekpe and Abang Cyril, were charged with murder and were not granted bail.

The viral video of the murder was watched in the open court yesterday. All the parents of the victims were present in court.

The prosecution mounted a projector screen to ascertain the content of the electronic CD plate which the witness said he downloaded from YouTube.

The video raised people’s emotions as many of the lawyers, including the lead prosecutor could not stand the gory sight. They bent over for the almost 26 minutes (25minuets, 59seconnds) duration of the video.

The court adjourned till October 31 for ruling and continuation of evidence.