A Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded five loyalists of the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, over their alleged involvement in the explosion that shook and engulfed the Rivers State Assembly complex. The incident occurred on October 30, 2023, amid purported attempts by certain lawmakers to impeach Governor Fubara.
The accused individuals, identified as Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald, and Ochueja Thankgod, were arraigned on seven charges before Justice Bolaji Olajuwon.
As reported by the Punch, the charges include alleged terrorism offenses related to invading, vandalizing, and setting ablaze the Rivers State House of Assembly during the political crisis in Port Harcourt last October.
In addition to the destruction of the assembly complex, the defendants were accused of killing Superintendent of Police Bako Agbashim and five police informants in the Ahoada community of the state. The police informants were identified as Charles Osu, Ogbonna Eja, Idaowuka Felix, Paul Victor Chibuogu, and Saturday Edi.
The accused individuals are also alleged to have used various cult groups, including Supreme Viking Confraternity, Degbam, Iceland, and Greenland, to unleash violence on the people of the state and disrupt commercial activities.
All five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court scheduled the determination of their bail applications for February 2, with the accused individuals to remain in Kuje Prison until then.
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