Court Grants Three Ex-soldiers, 7 Others Accused Of Robbery N10m Bail

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, has granted bail to the tune of N1 million each to three ex-soldiers and seven civilians over their alleged involvement in armed robbery, burglary and receipt of stolen property.

The suspects numbering 12 had been arraigned by the Nigerian Police Force but only 10 filed bail applications before the court.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, then Police Prosecution, F. D Sokari, told the court that their first witness, Emmanuel Nwogu, was again unavailable for cross-examination, citing health challenges and asked for an adjournment.

Monday Stephen-Akpekon representing the first defendant, Isaac West, therefore moved a motion that the pending bail application be heard without the prosecution’s first witness.

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

The Presiding Judge, Justice G.O. Ollor, having listened to the bail applications presented by 10 defendants, granted each defendant N1 million bail with a surety in like sum.

“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 ruler to the assistant chief registrar of the court”, the judge held.