February 05, (THEWILL) – Justice Bolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, refused the bail application for five suspects allegedly involved in the explosion that destroyed the Rivers State Assembly complex.
Reported to be loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the suspects, including Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod, were charged for allegedly burning down the State House of Assembly and killing a Superintendent of Police, (SP) Bako Agbashim and five police informants at Ahoada community of the State.
They were also accused of using various cult groups, namely: Supreme Vikings Confraternity, Degbam, Iceland, and Greenland, to unleash mayhem on the people of the state and their commercial activities.
While the defendants on January 25, pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charge preferred against them by the Inspector General of Police, the court ordered they be remanded in prison custody.
However, the defendant, through their lawyers, prayed the court to release them on bail pending the determination of the case against them.
They argued that under the 1999 Constitution, as amended, they ought to be presumed innocent until their guilt is established.
While opposing the bail applications, police lawyer, Simon Lough, SAN, argued that the defendants did not establish exceptional circumstances to warrant their release on bail. Rather, it urged the court to order an accelerated trial of the defendants.
In her ruling on Monday, Justice Olajuwon agreed with the prosecution and dismissed the defendant’s request for bail.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter till Thursday for the commencement of the hearing.
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