PDP youth leader in court over alleged assault

AN Abakaliki Chief Magistrate’s Court before Mr. J. Orude has adjourned sitting to July 12, 2012, in a case of alleged serious assault instituted against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Youth Leader in Ebonyi State, Chinedu Ogah.

According to the charge sheet, Ogah allegedly assaulted a police inspector in Governor Martin Elechi’s security team, Buba Jika, during the Democracy Day anniversary on May 29, 2012.

The charge read: “That you, Chinedu Ogah, did unlawfully assault Inspector Buba Jika while acting in the execution of his lawful duty and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 356 (b) of the Criminal Code Law, CAP 33, Vol. 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009”.

When the case came up, Ogah pleaded not guilty while the Chief Magistrate, Orude, adjourned the matter to July 12, 2012, even as he granted the accused bail on self-recognition.

Speaking with The Guardian in his office, Ebonyi State Police Commissioner, Adeniyi Adeola, said the discretion to grant bail was that of the magistrate, pointing out that beating policemen was usually classified as “serious assault.”

It would be recalled that some security details attached to Governor Elechi were engaged in a serious altercation with members of the Ebonyi Youth Assembly, led by Ogah, during which a policeman was allegedly punched on the mouth.

The security details reportedly cautioned the youth assembly members against coming too close to the red carpet where Governor Elechi was expected to alight at the Abakaliki Township Stadium, venue of the Democracy Day anniversary, a move that enraged the youth.