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NASS Elections : Detained 41 Owan youths granted bail
Newsdiaryonline Wed April 13,2011
The 41 Owan youths arrested by soldiers for alleged electoral
offences during the botched National Assembly election on April
2, were yesterday granted freedom by a Benin City
High Court,
presided over by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba. While 19 were released
unconditionally, 22 of them were granted bail.
Following the
Court order
on the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police
to produce them on April 13, the 41 youths alleged to be members
of the Owan East Local Government
Neighbourhood Watch
were brought to court yesterday from where they regained their
freedom.
The youths had filed a suit in which they deny any wrongdoing
and claimed N1.5 billion as damages.
In an application filed by Usunobun Evbayiro, the applicants
complained that they had not received needed medical attention
and that keeping them in custody in far away Abuja for over 10
days has made it difficult for their family members and lawyers
to have access to cater to their welfare.
They further complained that they had not been charged to court
and feared that they could be detained in Abuja indefinitely.
Their counsel prayed the court to order the Chief of Army Staff
and the Inspector General of Police to produce the applicants in
court before the judge and show cause why they should not be
released.
In granting their application on Monday, April 11, the court
ordered that the applicants be produced on April 13, 2011 and
restrained the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of
Police from taking any further steps in the matter until the
determination of the case filed by the applicants in court. The
case was adjourned to April 13, 2011.
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