Thirteen ex-executives of Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have been remanded into prison custody by an Abuja High in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on charges of assault.
The ex-executives allegedly assaulted the national president of NUPENG, Williams Akporeha, and two others.
The accused persons were remanded into prison by the presiding judge Justice Yusuf Halilu on a five-count criminal charge on Friday, November 17, 2023.
They were put on trial by the Inspector General of Police for allegedly beating up Akporeha and Wale Afolabi, respectively, NUPENG’s president and general secretary, and the newly elected national chairman of PTD, Augustine Egbon.
Those arraigned include former national chairman of PTD, Lucky Osesua, his deputy, Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, Humble Obinna, Akinolu Olabisi, Godwin Nwaka, and Tiamiu Sikiru.
The rest are Abdulmimin Shaibu, John Amajuoyi, Zaira Aregbo, Patrick Erhivwor, Stephen Ogheneruemu, Gift Ukponku, and Sunday Ezeocha.
According to the case (marked FCT/HC/CR/042/2023), the defendants, on November 1, 2023, laid siege at the PTD office at No. 50 Moses Majekodunmi Crescent, Utako District, against Akporeha, Afolabi, Solomon Kilanko, and Augustine Egbon and committed an offence punishable under Section 114 of the Penal Code Act, 2004.
They were accused of acting in a manner likely to cause the deaths of Akporeha and Egbon, an offence punishable under Section 229 of the Penal Code Act, 2004.
They were also accused of voluntarily causing grievous bodily harm to their victims.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, after which the prosecution counsel, Frank Longe, applied for a date to begin their trial.
Lead counsel to the accused persons, Chris Oshomogie, SAN, orally applied for the bail of his clients, claiming that the offences they allegedly committed are bailable.
However, the court rejected the oral bail application, ordered him to file a final application and adjourned until November 21 for trial.
Justice Yusuf ordered that the 13 defendants be moved to Kuje prison in Abuja on remand pending the determination of their request for bail.
The Court adjourned till November 21, for commencement of trial.
