49 suspects in military/villagers clash get bail

Suspects in the bloody clash between the military and villagers in some communities in Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State, last August, were on Monday released after meeting the bail applications stipulated by the state Chief Judge, Justice Maria Dzukogi.

Justice Dzukogi granted bail to 39 out of the 49 suspects charged and brought before the court over allegations that bothered on criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, mischief, failure to give notice or information to public servants, being in unlawful possession of dangerous weapons  and unlawful possession of firearms.

The offences were punishable under sections 97, 22, 327, 238, and 107 of the Penal Code Law and sections 27(1)  (A) (I) Firearms Act, capF28, LFL 2004.

Ten of the suspects were earlier granted bail on medical ground to afford them the opportunity of receiving treatment for injuries they suffered during the clash based on oral application made by their counsel.

Justice Dzukogi, after going through the motion seeking for their bail by the team of lawyers led by the chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Niger State branch, Mr Mohammed Ndayako, on Friday granted bail to the remaining 39 suspects with lighter condition.

The bail condition was that the suspects produced a surety who resides within the jurisdiction of the court.

Earlier, Chief Magistrate Hamid Bima refused the suspects bail on the ground that the offences were not bailable.

The case later shifted to the high court, following a written application by the counsel for the suspects transferring it from the magistrates’ court.