Thirteen Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch members of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have been remanded to Kuje prison by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory for the alleged attempted murder of NUPENG’s national president, Williams Akporeha, and two others.
After being arraigned on a five-count criminal charge on Friday night, Justice Yusuf Halilu remanded the 13 defendants in prison.
The Inspector General of Police brought them to trial for allegedly assaulting Augustine Egbon, the recently elected national chairman of PTD, and Akporeha, the president and general secretary of NUPENG.
Former PTD national chairman Lucky Osesua, as well as his deputy Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, as well as PTD members Humble Obinna, Akinolu Olabisi, Godwin Nwaka, and Tiamiu Sikiru, have all been indicted.
Abdoulmimin Shaibu, John Amajuoyi, Zaira Aregbo, Patrick Erhivwor, Stephen Ogheneruemu, Gift Ukponku, and Sunday Ezeocha round out the group.
Case number FCT/HC/CR/042/2023 alleges that on November 1, 2023, defendants Akporeha, Afolabi, Solomon Kilanko, and Augustine Egbon committed an offense punishable under Section 114 of the Penal Code Act, 2004 by laying siege to the PTD office at No. 50 Moses Majekodunmi Crescent, Utako District.
According to Section 229 of the Penal Code Act, 2004, they were charged with committing an offense that may reasonably be expected to result in the deaths of Akporeha and Egbon.
They were also charged with inflicting serious physical damage on purpose.
However, after entering not guilty pleas, the defendants prompted prosecutor Frank Longe to request a trial date.
Chris Oshomogie, SAN, the lead lawyer for the defendants, made an oral bail application, arguing that his clients are innocent of the charges against them.
However, the judge rejected the oral bail motion, ordered him to file a final application and adjourned until November 21 for trial.
Justice Yusuf ordered that the 13 defendants be sent to Kuje jail in Abuja on remand awaiting the resolution of their motion for bail.
Mismob Media