Chidi Lloyd’s arraignment stalled [PHOTOS]

The arraignment of the Leader of the Rivers State House of The arraignment of the Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, on Wednesday, at a high court sitting in the state was stalled.

The Court adjourned till 6th of August, 2013 to give its ruling on whether the Attorney General of the state, Wogu Boms can take over the case.

This is following the indication of interest in the matter the Attorney General of the state.

Chidi Lloyd was to be arraigned for conspiracy, willful damage, attempted murder amongst others for his role at the fracas that engulfed the Rivers House of Assembly few weeks ago.

The presiding Judge, Justice L.L.Nyordee adjourned the matter after Wogu Boms announced his desire to take over the matter.

Boms had referred to Section 211 Sub-section 1 (B) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended saying that he was empowered by the constitution to take over any criminal case in the state.

However, counsel to the police, Dee Nwigwe (SAN) objected to the submission made by the Attorney General arguing that the power the latter was referring to could only be exercised when there was an arraignment of the accused person.

He said in the instant case, Chidi Lloyd was yet to be arraigned so “there is nothing on ground for the Attorney General to take over”.

Earlier, the two counsels had held the court for a long period with claims, objections and arguments, prompting the Attorney General to step in and declare interest in the matter.

However, speaking to DailyPost on the condition of anonymity, a lawyer argued that the Attorney General was too hasty in his submissions.

He said: “Boms would have allowed the arguments of both counsels to linger because the points being raised were valid”.

Meanwhile, our correspondent observed that Lloyd was taken back to detention where he will likely remain till the adjourned date.

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