Parents besiege court, demanding release of kids

… as police arraign 58 suspected cultists

The Bayelsa State Police Command has arraigned 58 suspected cultists, including four minors at the State High Court on charges of conspiracy and for being members of a cult group.

Over 106 suspects, including four minors, were arrested during a police raid of some black spots in the state capital, Yenagoa and 58 of them were charged to State High Court, sitting in Yenagoa.
Angry parents of the arraigned suspects staged a protest outside the State High Court premises, alleging that those arrested were illegally arrested and innocent of the charges brought against them in court.
A parent, who identified himself as Kelvin, said: “My son was arrested a few metres from our home. He was sent on errand to buy a loaf of bread. It was the screams of my son, calling for help, that made me to know something was wrong. I dashed out of our house. The policemen threatened to shoot me. They asked what my son was doing outside after 8pm.”
Another woman, who claimed to be wife to one of the arraigned persons, said her husband was arrested a few minutes after concluding their new born baby girl’s dedication.
The woman further said: “He was walking a guest to the bus stop when he was arrested. All pleas and explanation to the policemen fell on deaf ears. How do I bail him when we just spent money on hospital bill my baby delivery and dedication?”
Also protesting were some members of the Hausa Community in Yenagoa. They claimed that over 32 persons of Hausa origin were arrested, but 12 were arraigned in court, including four underage boys.
One of the Hausa protesters said: “Most of the people the policemen arrested are commercial motorcyclists.”
The presiding Judge, Justice Naiyi Aganaba, after listening to the argument from the counsels to the applicants on bail, and the concession by the police Prosecuting Counsel, Mr. James Amate, granted bail to the suspects with conditions to show proof of innocence and non-membership of the secret cult.
Also listed as condition for bail, are a bail fixed for N100, 000 and the surety for bail bond, must be signed by a senior civil servant from grade 7. The civil servant must be a resident in Yenagoa.
Justice Aganaba however adjourned the case till October, 20, 2016.