A Rivers State High court sitting in Port Harcourt on Tuesday granted bail to two first-class traditional rulers, Cassidy Ikegbidi and Ngozi Anugwor and five others out of more than 50 defendants arraigned before it in the murder case of SP Bako Angbashim, the Divisional Police Officers, DPO of Ahoada East local Government area of Rivers State.
The presiding Judge, Justice Sika Henry Apirioku, granted bail to Chief Ngozi Anugwor and Cassidy Ikegbidi on health grounds in the sum of 10 million sum and a surety that must be a Permanent Secretary or Director level civil servant and a recognized traditional ruler.
The Judge ordered that they must also deposit their international passports with the Registrar of the Court and sign a bond of allegiance to always be present in court throughout the trial.
The other five defendants who are 41st to 45th defendants, Martins Cassidy, Stanley Amos Arimudo Ikegbidi, Philip Orlu Goodness and Joy Ekene were granted bail in the sum of five million naira each in like sum.
They are also to provide one surety who must be a civil servant on grade level 16 each.
Earlier, the defendants had all pleaded not guilty to the various charges levelled against them, ranging from conspiracy, murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery and cultism.
Meanwhile, the trial Judge, Justice Apirioku said the Court is bonded to grant bail to the defendants as the prosecution is handicapped because the Director of Public Prosecution DPP is unable to receive all documentation from the Officer-in-Charge, Legal and because of the health condition of the defendants.
The trial Judge later adjourned to the 8th and 13th of December for consideration of bail for others.
Late SP Bako Angbashim, murdered Ahoada Divisional Police Officer, DPO.
credit: PM News
