Court grants bail to four in attempted murder case of Ogoni leader

The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has granted bail to four men accused of attempting to assassinate Gani Topba, leader of the Conscience of the Ogoni People.

Justice Augusta Chukwu, in her ruling on Tuesday, approved bail for each suspect in the sum of N500,000 with three sureties.

The judge directed that one surety must be a recognized traditional ruler from Zaakpa community, another a Khana Local Government Council staff not below Grade Level 15, and the third a property owner within Port Harcourt City.

She also ordered the defendants to submit their bank details to the court and adjourned the case to November 18, 2025, for accelerated hearing.

The defendants — Saviour Robbert (aka Timberland), Leesor Kpugisere, Leeka Dele-Manapo, and Deele Akpobari (aka Bob Satan) — are facing seven charges, including conspiracy, attempted murder, cultism, and unlawful possession of firearms.

They allegedly ambushed and shot Topba on March 12, 2023, while he was returning from Zaakpa in Khana Local Government Area, leaving him critically injured.

Several other suspects linked to the attack are reportedly still at large.