By Tina Amanda
The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the Rivers State Police Command on Wednesday, November 11, 2024, arraigned two individuals, Menwe Nnamdi James (38) and Ekele Okorogba (40), before a Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt.
The arraignment, presided over by Senior Magistrate Wobia C. Akani involved two counts of providing false information to the police regarding the murder of Godstime Innocent, a motorcycle rider, in Ahoada on November 17, 2024.
The defendants were accused of falsely implicating Hector Ekeakita Chinem, Public Relations Officer of the Igbu-Akoh Youth Congress, Ahoada East Local Government Area, in the murder.
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Charges Against the Defendants: Count 1 (Suit No. PMC/1531C/2024), the charge stated that on November 17, 2024, in Ahoada main town, the defendants conspired to provide false information to the police, an act punishable under Section 516A of the Criminal Code CAP 37 Vol. II, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.
Count 2 The defendants allegedly gave false information to the police with the intent to cause injury and annoyance to Hector Ekeakita Chinem, leading to his arrest and detention. The offense is punishable under Section 125A (1)(b) of the Criminal Code CAP 37 Vol. II, Laws of Rivers State.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Senior Magistrate Akani granted the defendants bail, with one surety each in the sum of ₦500,000. The sureties must provide verifiable means of livelihood and a traceable address.
The case was adjourned to January 21, 2025, for a hearing.
