IPOB ‘Jewish Detainees’ Fight For Bail

Following the remand of the nine Jewish adherents arrested in Umuahia on May 14, 2018, the lead defense counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor has brought applications for their bail at the Abia State High Court.

The applications were brought on May 15, the very next day after the remand. Barrister Ejimakor who came from out of jurisdiction to conduct the case is being assisted by Chief Iheonu Chionye, a lawyer based in Umuahia.

It will be recalled that, in remanding the accused persons, the magistrate had severely criticized the Nigerian police for filing the charges at the magistrate court knowing fully well that the court has no jurisdiction in such cases.

According to the court ruling released to the lawyers, the magistrate U. U. Egwu had stated that he “reluctantly refused the accused persons bail”.

This is after the magistrate had also condemned the prosecution, stating that “It is condemnable that the police could charge a matter to a court that it knows has no jurisdiction to try the matter. The main aim being that they desired the accused persons to be remanded in prison custody for as long as they require”.

In arguing the applications for bail, defense counsels cited Section 35 of the Constitution; and Sections 118 and 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The counsels also supported the bail applications with 10-paragraph affidavits for each of the nine accused persons.

Speaking on the application, Barrister Ejimakor said he expects the case file to be assigned for hearing by early next week and as soon as the prosecution has been served.