The trial of Ifeanyi Maxwell Dike over the murder of eight-year-old Victory Chikamso around Eliozu resumed yesterday at the Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt.

Our correspondent Victor Ezeama reports that for the second time since the murder trial began about six months ago, Ifeanyi Dike put up a strange behaviour in court when he raised his voice to complain about the increasing number of witnesses testifying against him.

Dike claimed that enemies of the state were after his life, adding that most of the testimonies were lies, but he was informed by Justice Adolphus Enebeli that he would have enough time to express himself..

The outburst by the prime suspect came after Justice Enebeli ruled against a statement tendered by the tenth prosecution witness, which was made by Ernest Mmezuoba, who is the father of the slain eight-year-old girl.

However; the defence counsel alleged that the statement was fabricated to ambush the matter in court and indict his client, after which Justice Enebeli ruled against it, saying it was brought by a wrong person at the wrong time.

Meanwhile; the court has adjourned the matter to 9th July for continuation of hearing in the murder trial.

Livestock sellers in Rivers State are calling for government intervention following continued harassments of their members by hoodlums.

The meat sellers said the development has led to the reduction in the amount cows being slaughtered on daily basis which they say may lead to inflation on the prices of livestock.

Our correspondent Uchendu Ejiowhor was at the slaughters at Aluu community in Ikwerre and Choba in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the state and was told by some kidnapped victims that the situation may get out of hand if nothing was done to stop it.

Our correspondent also monitored the compliance level of an order by the state government against the use of tires to roast livestock and report that the operators were adhering to the new directive.

Some of the butchers also told our correspondent that they have also been complying with the doctors sent by the government to certify all livestock before they are slaughtered.