23rd August, 2016
A 61-year-old man, Gabriel Egwubedike and 22 others, were on Tuesday arraigned at a Wuse Zone 6 Chief Magistrates’ Court for alleged riot and armed with deadly weapons.
The defendants are; Uchenna Egbo, Joseph Ugwueze, David Omonobi, Ezemoka Charles, Joseph Umeadi, Nwukwo Jaroma, Otubo Jeremiah, Dayo Markus, Anyim Paulinus, Valent Emeka, Emeonu Clement.
The others were; Dalhatu Hassan, Alkali Fredrick, Ubadigha Michael, Ezugwu Cyprian, Okafor Dennis, Nnaemeka Nwobodo, Mohammed Nasamu, Ejike Nicodemus, Emeka Emelda, Farida Umar and Comfort James.
The defendants all residents of Abuja were charged with criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, rioting with deadly weapons, intentional insult, assault and obstructing police officers on duty.
The prosecuting counsel, Azubuike Urom, told the court that the defendants, shop owners at Wuye Ultra Modern Market, Abuja, were arrested in the market.
Urom said the defendants conspired amongst themselves and riot with deadly weapons in the market because their shops were given to other persons.
He said that when the police officers came and asked them to leave peacefully, they refused to do so rather they attacked and assaulted them.
Urom said the alleged offences contravened sections 100, 66, 107, 399, 112 and 148 of the Penal Code.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The defence counsel, Samuel Peters, prayed the court to grant bail to the defendants and said they would not jump bail.
Opposing the bail application, the prosecutor argued that granting them bail might jeopardise police efforts in arresting others who were still at large.
The Magistrate, Chinyere Nwacheonwu, however, granted the defendants bail.
She adjourned the case till Sept. 8 for further hearing.