Court to Fubara’s loyalists: No bail for you

By Paul Dada

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja,  presided over  by Justice Bolaji Olajuwon, has dismissed the bail applications filed by  some loyalists of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, allegedly involved in the  explosion at the  state House of Assembly.

The Police accuse  Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald, and Ochueja Thankgod of terrorism offences. They are alleged to be involved  in the bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly in  the October  30th 2023 as well as the  killing of some police officers.
The incident  had  happened  while some members of the House were reportedly making moves to impeach Fubara.  It was alleged that to prevent that from happening, some arsonists had thrown an explosive into the Assembly complex leading to a fire incident in the place.

While ruling on the bail applications of the three of the defendants filed on health grounds, Justice Olajuwon said  she was rejecting them because they were charged with capital offences.  In Nigerian jurisprudence, judges have the discretion to grant bail to defendants but this does not apply in cases having to do with capital offences.  A capital offence is one that leads to a death sentence.

Justice  Olajuwon also said it had not been proved that  the correctional centre  could not handle the health issue of the defendants. condition of the defendants.

The matter  was  adjourned till February 8, 2024, for hearing.