Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt
A Port Harcourt Chief Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to four chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 21 others who were arrested by security agencies during last Saturday’s supplementary elections in Etche and Local Government Area of the state for electoral offences.
The accused persons were the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Samuel Nwanosike; Rowland Sekibo; Odiari Princewill and Darlington Orji.
Arraigned with them yesterday were 21 other accused persons, on a three-count charge of holding illegal public meeting in Ulakwo, intimidating voters in Etche and Omuma and wandering during the polls.
The PDP chieftains and the other 21 accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial Chief Magistrate, Andrew Jaja, of Court 5 granted bail to the four PDP stalwarts on personal recognition while the 21 others would perfect their bail conditions.
Addressing journalists shortly after the court proceedings, Nwanosike thanked his party, Rivers people, and the judiciary for being on the part of justice.
The PDP spokesman maintained that he was duly accredited as his party’s agent to cover the elections and accused the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) of being behind their arrest.
He said: “I thank God Almighty for this great opportunity. I thank the judiciary for standing for the truth. I thank the people of Rivers State; most importantly, I thank members of the Peoples Democratic Party for standing for democracy in Nigeria.
“The allegations were fabrications from the pit of hell. I can tell you, this arrest was politically masterminded and calculated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and chieftains of the party in Etche.
“So, what happened was that they wanted to rig the election, but the people said no. I was duly accredited for the election. But I am happy today that the court has come to stand for the common people and stand for the truth.”
There was jubilation in court premises by hundreds of PDP supporters who stormed the court after the accused persons were granted bail.
