Amid SARS Disbandment, Police Arraigns 14 #EndSARS Protesters In Delta

Amidst the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) across the 36 State Police Commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the police has arraigned fourteen persons in connection with the last Thursday’s EndSARS protest that led to death of a police corporal in Delta state.

The suspects were arraigned before an Ughelli Magistrate court, headquarters of Ughelli North local government area of the state.

Recalls a police corporal identified as Stanley Etaga and an unidentified protester, were reportedly killed during the protest which went violence.

Also, an operative attached to the Eagle Net Squad, Sergeant Patrick Okuone, also sustained life threatening injuries during the clash that ensued during the protest at the Otovwodo axis of Ughelli.

BIGPEN gathered that six of the suspects were arraigned in connection with the upheaval on the day of the protest, while the other eight were arrested in connection with the killing of the police corporal, attack on Sergeant Okuone, as well as the damaging of police vehicles during the protest.

In suit No. MU/193C/2020, six out of the 14 suspects namely; Ejenevwo Precious Mudiaga, Onome Ovie, Ovie Oghenebrume, Umukoro Joshua Takpor, Duku Evans and Oroghodo Friday, were charged on a one count charge of breach of peace by constituting themselves into a nuisance.

The other eight suspects made up of seven males and a female namely; Iboyi Emmanuel, Umukoro Rukevwe, German Oghenekevwe Precious, Moses Eduwekon, Oke John, Ogbonna David, Prosper John and Akpovwigho Eloho, were all charged in suit No MU/194C/2020 on a five count charge to commit felony and murder amongst others.

The prosecutor, Brenda Ejelonu said the various offences contravened different sections of the criminal code Cap C21, Vol 1 laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.

The presiding magistrate, Ena Odjugo, granted the first six defendants N50, 000 bail with one surety in like sum.

He subsequently ordered that the last eight defendants should be remanded at the federal custodian center, Sapele where they will be quarantined for two weeks before being transferred to the Warri correctional center pending advice by the Department of Public Prosecution.

The court was then adjourned to October 29, 2020 for mention.