Three ex-soldiers, seven others accused of robbery get bail

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the state capital, presided over by Justice G. O Ollor has granted bail to the tune of N1 million each to three ex-soldiers and seven civilians facing trial over alleged armed robbery, burglary and receipt of stolen property.

Recall that the Nigerian Police Force had arraigned the suspects numbering 12, although only 10 filed bail applications at the hearing on Wednesday.

During the resumed trial on Wednesday, the prosecuting counsel, F. D Sokari, representing the Inspector-General of Police, informed the court that their first witness, Emmanuel Nwogu, was again unavailable for cross-examination, citing health challenges and asked for an adjournment.

Reacting, counsel for the first defendant, (Isaac West) Monday Stephen-Akpekon moved a motion that the pending bail application be heard without the prosecution’s first witness.

The motion was supported by the defence counsel for the other 11 defendants and the prosecution counsel did not oppose it.

Having listened to the bail applications presented by 10 defendants, the Presiding Judge, Justice G. O Ollor, granted an N1 million bail to each defendant.

The judge ordered that each defendant provide a surety alongside the bail sum and that “the sureties of each applicant shall be a traditional ruler of the applicant’s native community or place of residence in Rivers State, who shall produce evidence of being a traditional rulers to the assistant chief registrar of the court”, among others condition.

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