By By Taiye Agbaje

The Federal Government, on Wednesday, arraigned 15 suspected invaders of the residence of Supreme Court Judge, Justice Mary Odili, at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The suspects were arraigned before Justice Nkeonye Maha on 18-count amended charge bordering on forgery, criminal trespass, intimidation, extortion, among others, contrary to the sections of the law.

In the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/436/2021, they were also alleged to have threatened Justice Odili and members of her household with injury to her person and reputation with intent to execute an illegal search warrant.

Although 22 defendants are on the charge, seven of them are still at large.

Earlier, Counsel to the prosecution, Mathew Omosun from the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters, told the court that he had an amended 18 counts dated Dec. 13 and filed Dec. 14.

“We have a charge dated Nov. 21 and filed same day. We also have amended charge dated Dec. 3 and file same day. We equally have an amended charge dated Dec 10 and filed Dec. 13.

“Further to these, we have an amended charge dated Dec. 13 and filed Dec. 14. We seek to withdraw those aforementioned charge and amended charges. But we have 18-count charge dated Dec. 13 and filed Dec. 14,” he said.

He prayed the court for the counts to be read to the 15 defendants so they could take their plea.

Related News

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

Omosun urged the court to make an order remanding the defendants in a correctional centre pending the hearing and determination of the matter in view of their non-guilty plea.

But lawyers to the defendants informed that applications for bail had been filed in respect of their clients.

The prosecution did not oppose the motions.

Justice Maha, then, stood down for 30 minutes to deliver her ruling.

Some of the defendants arraigned include Lawrence Adjodo (a.k.a. Ola Ojo) , Michael Diete-Spiff, Alex Onyekuru, Bayero Lawal (a.k.a EFCC director), Igwe Ernest, Aliyu Umar Ibrahim, Hajiya Maimuna Maishanu, Dr Ayodele Akindipe (a.k.a. Herbalist), Yusuf Adamu (a.k.a. Godson to Chief Peter Odili),

Others are Bashir Musa, ASP Mohammed Yahaya, Stanley Nkwazema, Shehu Jibo, Abdullahi Adamu and Abdullahi Usman.

The seven defendants at large include Ike Ezekwe, L/CPL Mike, Sani Bala, Godwin Lucas, Solomon Bagudu, Austin M. and Michael M.

Meanwhile, Justice Maha, stood down proceedings to rule on bail application of the defendants.

You may be interested

Abducted editor, Segun Olatunji, regains freedom after 12 days in DIA custody
News
3 views
News
3 views

Abducted editor, Segun Olatunji, regains freedom after 12 days in DIA custody

Webby - March 28, 2024

The Editor of FirstNews, a Lagos-based online news platform, Segun Olatunji, has regained his freedom 12 days after he was…

FAAN shuts KFC outlet for allegedly discriminating against ex-Ogun Gov’s disabled son
Business
3 views
Business
3 views

FAAN shuts KFC outlet for allegedly discriminating against ex-Ogun Gov’s disabled son

Webby - March 28, 2024

The management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), on Thursday, ordered the immediate closure of a KFC outlet…

In Anambra, Fire Service Intervenes, Averts Major Danger, As Petrol Tanker Crashes, Spills Its Contents
News
News

In Anambra, Fire Service Intervenes, Averts Major Danger, As Petrol Tanker Crashes, Spills Its Contents

Webby - March 28, 2024

By Izunna Okafor, Awka A major danger and would-have-been disastrous fire outbreak has been averted in Anambra State, as officers…

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.