Again Court dismisses bail application by suspects arrested in connection with the burning of Rivers State House of Assembly
BREAKING NEWS
Again Court dismisses bail application by suspects arrested in connection with the burning of Rivers State House of Assembly
A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, rejected bail for five individuals accused of invading, vandalizing, and setting fire on the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex.
The defendants, Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald, and Ochueja Thankgod, are facing a seven-count terrorism charge filed by the Inspector General of Police.
The police IG alleged that, amid the political turmoil in Rivers State last October, the defendants stormed the House of Assembly complex to hinder an alleged impeachment attempt against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The prosecution team further claimed that the defendants used various cult groups to wreak havoc on residents of Rivers State and commercial activities in the State.
The court had previously remanded the defendants in prison custody on January 25 after they pleaded not guilty.
Despite the defendants’ plea for bail based on the presumption of innocence, the court presided by Justice Bolaji Olajuwon, sided with the prosecution, stating that the charges were serious and did not establish exceptional circumstances for bail.
Meanwhile the court has rejected an application by the Chief of Staff to Gov Fubara, Hon. Edison Ehie, to strike out the charge where his name was mentioned in connection with the burning of the State Assembly and suggested that Mr Ehie could either apply to be joined as a defendant in the case or surrender to security agencies to prove he is not at large.
The court adjourned the case for Thursday to begin hearing.
