Parents, relations protest arrest, arraignment of children, relatives in Bayelsa

Parents and relations of over 58 persons arrested by the police and arraigned before a Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa, the state capital, over membership of secret cult and other offences have staged a protest against the prosecution of the suspects.

The police had during the weekend brought the suspects before the court citing conspiracy and membership of a cult group.

The police had earlier taken into custody over 106 suspects last week, including four minors, during a raid of some black spots in the state capital and 58 of them were charged to court.

However, the suspects were granted bail in the sum of N100, 000 each by the presiding judge, Justice Naiyi Aganaba, having listened to the arguments of the defendants’ lawyers and the concession by the police prosecution counsel, James Amate.

The judge said the suspects must provide proofs that they do not belong to any secret cult.

Justice Aganaba adjourned the case until October 20, 2016 for further hearing.

Meanwhile, the angry parents and relations of the suspects alleged that those arraigned were illegally arrested and innocent of the charges against them.

One of the parents who gave his name as Kelvin, told reporters at the court premises that his son was arrested a few metres away from their home while on an errand to buy bread for the family.

He said, “When I accosted the policemen after I heard a scream for help by my son, they threatened to shoot me. They asked me what my son was doing outside after 8pm.”

Also a woman, who is wife of one of the suspects, said her husband was arrested a few minutes after concluding their new-born baby’s dedication at home.

The woman, who would not want her name mentioned, said, “He (my husband) was attending to a guest at the bus stop when he was arrested.

“All pleas and explanation fell on deaf ears. How do I get money to bail him? We have spent a lot of money on hospital bills for the baby’s delivery and dedication.”

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