In a decisive move, Justice Yusuf Halilu of the High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, Abuja, ordered the remand on Friday of 13 members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) at the Kuje Correctional Center.
This decision came in response to their arraignment by the Inspector General of Police on a five-count charge.
Some of the counts, in the charge marked: CR/042/2023 read: “That you Lucky Osesua, Humble Obinna, Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, Akinolu Olabisi, Godwin Nwaka, Tiamiu Sikiru, Abdulmumin Shaibu, John Amajuoyi, Zaira Aregbo, Patrick Erhivwor, Stephen Ogheneruemu, Gift Ukponku and Sunday Ezeocha on the 1st of November, 2023, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to cause breach of peace, laid siege at the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) office at No. 50 Moses Majekodenmi Crescent , Utako District against one Comrade Williams Akporeha, Comrade Olawale Afolabi, Comrade Solomon Kilanko & Comrade Augustine Egbon and you thereby commit an offence punishable under Section 114 of the Penal Code Act, 2004.
In count three, they were alleged to have acted, “In a manner likely to cause the death of one Comrade Wiliams Akporeha & Comrade Augustine Egbon”, an offence punishable under Section 229 of the Penal Code Act, 2004.
Also, in count four, they were accused of voluntarily causing grievous bodily harm to Comrade Williams Akporeha, Comrade Olawale Afolabi, Comrade Solomon Kilanko & Comrade Augustine Egbon.
The defendants pleaded not guilty, prompting the prosecution counsel, Frank Longe, to request a trial date.
Lead counsel Chris Oshomogie, SAN, then moved a bail application, opposed by the police lawyer.
Justice Halilu rejected the oral bail application, directing Oshomogie to file and serve the prosecution with a written bail application. The judge assured an expedited hearing, adjourning the trial to November 21.
| ThisDay
