By David Okpashi
LAFIA. A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lafia, Nasarawa state on Monday, refused bail for thirty nine women and others arrested last friday for alleged breach of public peace during a peaceful protest in Lafia,the state capital.
Our correspondent recalls that the women,who have been on peaceful protest against the election of Governor Abdullahi Sule since March 2023, were arrested, charged to court and taken to the remand.
When the matter came up for hearing, the Chief Magistrate,
Mohammed Abdullahi Lanze Lanze,having listened to the argument of by counsels to the complainants and the defendants on the bail application. fixed January 25,2024 for hearing of the application.
The accused are facing charges bordering on causing public disturbance, criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire and unlawful assembly, for allegedly protesting against the Supreme Court judgement on the state governorship election petition.
Our correspondent recalls that the bail application was filed last Friday by the counsel to the defendants,Barr. Ayiwulu Baba Ayiwulu.
Ayiwulu pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy by granting the defendants bail, assuring that they would not jump bail,if granted.
The Counsel to the Commissioner of Police, Barr.Danjuma Allu urged the court to grant him a “short date” to reply to the bail application in accordance to the provision of the law.
The Magistrate Lanze in refusing to grant the bail application, however, told the Commissioner of Police to produce the defendants in court on the said date for hearing of their bail application.
The accused were arrested on 19, January 19,2024, arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court 3 and later remanded at the Lafia Custodial center of the Nigeria Correctional Service.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.