Redaction Africa Links 24 with Legit.ng
Published on 2024-02-05 10:40:07
The federal high court in Abuja, Nigeria, has denied bail to five individuals accused of engaging in a seven-count terrorism charge related to the invasion, vandalism, and burning down of the Rivers state house of assembly complex. The defendants in the case are Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Osiga Donald, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, and Ochueja Thankgod. These individuals are reportedly loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
According to police reports, the accused individuals violently invaded the hallowed chamber of the Rivers state house of assembly complex in the aftermath of the political crisis that rocked the state in October 2023. The invaders were allegedly attempting to frustrate an impeachment process against Governor Fubara, which led to the filing of the terrorism charge against them by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
Following the denial of bail by the high court in Abuja, the accused continued to face the terrorism charge brought against them by the IGP. A request to dismiss the charge was also denied by the court, affirming the legality of the seven-count charge filed by the police. Justice Bolaji Olajuwon, in a ruling, upheld the argument by the lawyer to the IGP, Simon Lough (SAN), that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is empowered by the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 to institute and prosecute terrorism offenses.
The case has garnered significant attention, with various news outlets reporting on the development. Journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf from Legit.ng, who has extensive experience covering politics and public journalism, detailed the court’s decision to deny bail to the accused individuals in the case.
In addition to Legit.ng, other reputable publications such as The Nation and Vanguard also reported on the denial of bail and the legal proceedings related to the terrorism charge. The accused individuals, who are citizens of Rivers state, have been at the center of controversy surrounding the burning of the state house of assembly complex in Port Harcourt in October 2023.
The denial of bail to the accused individuals aligns with the handling of terrorism offenses, as defined by the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022. The legal proceedings in this case underscore the seriousness with which offenses related to terrorism are treated under Nigerian law.
The court’s decision to uphold the terrorism charge against the accused individuals signals a commitment to addressing security threats and maintaining the rule of law in Nigeria. The case also highlights the importance of due process and the proper implementation of laws aimed at preventing and prohibiting acts of terrorism in the country.
As the legal proceedings continue, the case will likely remain a subject of public interest, with further developments expected to unfold in the near future. The denial of bail to the accused individuals underscores the gravity of the charges brought against them, and the proceedings will be closely monitored by the public and the media as the case progresses.
Read the original article on Legit.ng
