The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed three police officers implicated in the killing of Anthony Obodo around the Agip/Adageorge area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The development followed the conclusion of an Orderly Room Trial conducted over the circumstances surrounding Obodo’s death.
On September 2, 2026, the Third Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mrs. Ini Irene Pepple, visited the office of the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, in furtherance of the Association’s intervention in the matter and to ascertain the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings.
The development followed an earlier meeting held on August 31, 2026, between the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association, members of the deceased’s family and other stakeholders at the Rivers State Police Command Headquarters.
During the meeting, the three officers implicated in the incident, including ASP Fabian Banabari, were presented before the Commissioner of Police, representatives of the NBA, the deceased’s family and other stakeholders.
They were given an opportunity to provide their respective accounts of the incident and answer questions concerning the circumstances surrounding Obodo’s death.
The Commissioner of Police condemned the conduct of the officers as unprofessional and assured the family and the NBA that the matter would be handled transparently.
Following the conclusion of the Orderly Room Trial, the three officers were dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force.
The NBA was further informed that the dismissed officers would be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction to face criminal proceedings arising from the incident.
While describing the dismissal as a significant development, the Association stressed that the conclusion of the internal disciplinary proceedings must not be mistaken for the conclusion of the case.
The criminal justice process remains outstanding and must now be allowed to run its full course in accordance with the law.
The NBA indicated that its continued engagement in the matter would reinforce the Association’s commitment to human rights, the rule of law, police accountability and the fight against extrajudicial killings.
The update was issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr. Prince Azubuike.
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