A High Court centered in Rivers State capital, Porthacourt which was directed by the Presiding Judge, Justice G. O Ollor has granted N1 million bail each to three ex-soldiers and seven civilians facing trial over alleged armed robbery, burglary and receipt of stolen property.
Haven Recollected that the Nigerian Police Force had earlier arraigned the 12 suspects,although only 10 filed bail applications at the hearing on Wednesday.During the trial reopening,on Wednesday, the prosecuting counsel, F. D Sokari, representing the Inspector-General of Police, disclosed to the court that their first witness, Emmanuel Nwogu, was again unavailable for cross-examination, which was as a result of some health challenges , however appealed for an adjournment.Responding to this, the counsel for the first defendant, (Isaac West) Monday Stephen-Akpekon moved a motion that the pending bail application should be heard without the prosecution’s first witness.
The motion was supported by the defence counsel as regards the other 11 defendants in which the prosecution counsel did not object
The Presiding Judge, Justice G. O Ollor, haven listened to the bail applications of other suspects present, he granted an N1 million bail to each defendant.
The judge also instructed that each defendant provides a guarantor alongside the bail sum and their guarantor 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.