The bail requests of the loyalists of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who were charged with terrorism, have been turned down by the Federal High Court in Abuja. The five defendants charged with terrorism are Chime Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald, and Ochueja Thankgod. Their bail applications lacked merit and were dismissed for failing to provide special circumstances to warrant their release from remand at the Kuje Prison in Abuja.
Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon refused them bail on Monday, stating that the defendants did not provide cogent and verifiable evidence to back up their request for bail. The Judge held that the defendants, especially Chime Eguma Ezebalike and Prince Lukman Oladele, failed to give evidence to support their request for bail. Justice Olajuwon explained that an affidavit evidence must supply names of those who volunteered information about defendants in a criminal charge as stipulated by Section 115 of the Evidence Act.
The affidavit presented by Mariam Alawiye, an office assistant to the defendants, contained extraneous issues that are not relevant to persuade any court to grant bail. To worsen the situation, the deponent did not make any documents or exhibits available to the Court to support all her assertions in the affidavit evidence.
Moreover, the Judge said that the defendants are charged with terrorism offences, which are not ordinarily bailable. Therefore, they are ordered to remain in Kuje Prison from where they would be coming for their trial. Justice Olajuwon granted accelerated hearing and fixed February 8 for opening of trial by the Inspector General of Police IGP.
Details later.