Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Chijioke Ihunwo, has been arraigned at the magistrate court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.
Ihunwo, who was arraigned alongside 120 others, were all present at the Rivers Magistrate Court 22 on Wednesday where a five-count charge was preferred against them.
The charges were conspiracy; causing a riot; damaging the house gate of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule; unlawful assembly; and causing breach of public peace.
When the charges were read out, the accused youths all pleaded ‘not guilty’.
After the charges were read out, counsel for the defendants, Alabo Tamunowari, applied for bail insisting that they have four capable sureties who will provide all 121 accused persons whenever requested.
The application was opposed by Enyiepere Sikpi, counsel for the prosecution, who raised questions regarding the veracity of the sureties address.
One of the defendants, Chigozie Emeh, who is a lawyer, was granted bail in self recognisance.
Speaking to journalists outside the courthouse, one of the counsel for the defendants, Higher King Esq, expressed reservations on the action of the police, saying “they will go home, why won’t they go home? It’s a bailable offense”.
“It’s not bringing frivolous charges, when you bring charges, you must sustain the charge. They were rounded up yesterday (Tuesday) and today (Wednesday); they’re already in court, no investigation, no proof of evidence, nothing, but we’re in court with them.”