Police in Edo on Monday arraigned two persons, Gabriel Ekhaigba,77, and Bashiru Aliu, 50, before an Oredo, Edo State Magistrates’ Court for allegedly giving false information.
The duo were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and false information.
The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty.
Earlier, the police Prosecutor, Insp. Olajide Mary, told the court that the accused persons committed the offences on May 4, 2021 at the Edo State Police Command’s headquarters in Benin.
Olajide alleged that the accused gave false information to ASP Sunday Udoka that led to the arrest of three persons, the information that was later found to be untrue.
According to her, the duo and others now at large, on May 4, 2021 at the Edo State Police Command Headquarters, Benin, in the Oredo magisterial district, conspired to commit felony.
She said the accused persons allegedly gave false information to ASP Sunday Udoka, being a person employed in the public service, through written statements and addressed to the Commissioner of Police in the state.
She further said that the accused also wrote statements on May 6, 2021 where they alleged that Umoru Yusuf, Jimoh Yusuf Mayo, and Kebiru Yusuf were involved in cultism, knowing same to be false.
She added that the false information caused ASP Sunday Udoka to perform a duty he ought not to have performed if the true facts were made known to him.
She said the offences contravened the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol. 11 Laws of defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976 now applicable in Edo State.
The Counsel to the accused persons, Steve Oko, pleaded with court that the accused be granted bail.
The counsel said that the offences were bailable and the police prosecutor did not object to the oral application, and averred that the granting of bail was at the discretion of the court.
The presiding Magistrate, Faith Oghahenhen, however, granted the accused bail in N50,000 each, and a surety in like sum who must be gainfully employed.
She adjourned the case until October 11, 2022 for hearing.
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