From Emmanuel Obe
Twenty supporters of the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, were remanded in prison custody in Port Harcourt on Thursday after their arraignment before a magistrate court.
The accused persons were charged for treason and conspiracy. They were arrested on Tuesday in Port Harcourt during a demonstration to protest the arrest and trial of Kanu, who was granted bail on Monday by an Abuja court.
The accused were; Benson Sunday, Emmanuel Ali, Ukeme Monday, Chibuzor Eechina, Charles Eze, Egbo Okechukwu, Chibona Ifion, John Douglas, Ezenwa Alphonus, Wori Endurance, Chinomere Nwolu, Henry Eze Friday Uzunwa, Igbodo Abio, Akaniyene Uwem, Eni Iboro, Obinna Stephen, Monday Ocha, Obinna Ibekwe and kingsely Ezengorie.
In Count One, the accused persons were said to have allegedly without lawful authority demonstrated and chanted war songs which caused panic in the neighbourhood, instilled fear on reasonable grounds with intent to intimidate or cause panic within the State and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 37 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap C38 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.
Count Two said the accused and others at large on 20th day of October, 2015 at about 1400hours at Ikwerre road Port Harcourt in the Port Harcourt Magisterial District did willfully and unlawfully damage the Nigerian flag which hoisted at Zenith Bank PLC Ikoku branch Port Harcourt and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 451 of the Criminal Code, Cap C38 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.”
Ugwueze I.O, Destiny, S.I Chima and other three lawyers who represented the accused persons applied for their bail. Ruling on the bail application, the trial Chief Magistrate, S.D Andrew-Jaja, said his court lacked jurisdiction to try the matter
But following the arguments of the accused lawyers he adjourned the case till October 27, 2015 to enable the counsels address the court on the issue of bail.
The Chief Magistrate further remanded the accused persons in prison custody pending the adjournment day.
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