FEDERAL HIGH COURT ORDERERS 5 MEN CHARGED FOR TERRORISM BY FG ARRAIGNED BE REMANDED AT KUJE 25-01-24
By Sadiq Aminu A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has ordered that the five Port Harcourt-based men arraigned by the Federal Government on terrorism charges, be remanded at Kuje correctional centre in Abuja.
The trial judge, Justice Bolaji Olajuwon ordered them to remain in custody until the 2nd of next month when their respective bail applications would be determined by the Judge.
The five defendants were Chime Ezebalike, Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Kpasa, Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod.
In the 7-count charge, the defendants were accused of committing alleged terrorism offences by invading, vandalizing and burning down Rivers State House of Assembly during the wake of political crisis that rocked Port Harcourt in October last year.
Beside allegedly burning down the State House of Assembly, they were also accused of killing a Superintendent of Police, (SP) Bako Agbashim and five police informants at Ahoada community of the state.
The police informants alleged to have been killed were Charles Osu, Ogbonna Eja, Idaowuka Felix, Paul Victor Chibuogu and Saturday Edi.
However, when the charges against them was read, they all pleaded not guilty to the offences.
Shortly after the arraignment, the leader of the prosecuting team, Audu Garba applied for a date for full blown trial of the defendants.
However, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Lukman Fagbemi who stood for the 1st and 2nd defendants, sought to move applications for their bail on the ground that they had been in the police custody since last year.
The government lawyer, Audu Garba opposed on the reason that he had just been served with the bail applications and needed time to study them and file counter affidavit.
Justice Olajuwon agreed with the prosecution lawyer that the bail applications were not ripe for hearing and fixed February 2 for hearing of all bail application.