A Federal High Court in Abuja has denied bail for five loyalists of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara facing terrorism charges.
The accused – Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald, and Ochueja Thankgod – were charged by the Inspector General of Police for their alleged role in the political crisis that rocked Rivers State last October.
Specifically, police allege the defendants invaded and burned down the State House of Assembly complex, killing a Superintendent of Police and five informants. The attack was supposedly aimed at thwarting an impeachment attempt against Governor Fubara.
In her ruling, Justice Bolaji Olajuwon agreed with prosecutors that the terrorism charges warranted detaining the accused without bail and refused an application despite a plea by one of the defendants on health grounds. This, according to her, is based on the nature of the charges bothering on alleged terrorism and murder
The case has been adjourned until February 8th, 2024 for further hearing.
Similarly, the court refused an application by Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to Governor Fubara, to have his name struck from the charges. Ehie, a former factional Speaker, was mentioned in the case but not listed as a defendant.
The court ruled Ehie was not a proper party in the case. It advised he either join as a defendant or surrender to prove he is not at large.
