A Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt has granted bail to the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Rivers State, Mr Chijioke Ihunwo, and 120 other defendants who are in court for allegedly invading the residence of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaehwule.
The defendants were granted bail in the sum of N100,000 each, with two sureties in like sum. The State Legal Adviser of NYCN, Chigozie Emem, was granted bail on self-recognition as a lawyer.
Ihunwo and 121 others were arrested in Port Harcourt and detained in the facility of the State Criminal Investigation Department, for attacking the residence of Amaehwule, during their protest against the move to impeach the governor of the state, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, by some lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The defendants are standing trial on five count charges bordering on conspiracy, causing of riot, damaging the house gate of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, unlawful assembly, and causing breach of public peace.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the five charges preferred against them.
The Presiding Magistrate, Gift Amadi, said the defendants were granted bail on the ground that the offences were bailable.
Amadi, however, urged the lead lawyer to the defendants, Alabo Tamunowari, to ensure that the defendants are in court on the next adjourned date, which is December 5, 2023 for trial.
