BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

PORT HARCOURT—The Police, yesterday, arraigned 11 persons suspected to be behind the protest, last Monday, condemning the alleged shooting of Senator Magnus Abe with rubber bullets by the Police, before a Magistrate’s Court in Rivers State.

Senator Abe taken to hospital

It will be recalled that Senator Abe was allegedly shot by the Police when he turned up at the venue of the  aborted rally of Save Rivers Movement on January 12 at the Arts and Science College, Port Harcourt.

The following day, some youths took over the Akpajo end of East- West Road, protesting the alleged shooting. The youths allegedly barricaded the road, thus causing Calabar, Cross River State bound passengers a huge trauma.

Ten of the accused were charged for conspiracy, unlawful gathering and possession of dangerous weapons, while one was arraigned on a four-count charge, which include illegal possession of a walkie talkie.

The charges were read to them in Pidgin English and they pleaded not guilty.

The trial Magistrate,  Daisy Wanjoku, granted them bail in the sum of N50,000 each and a surety in like sum. This was after their counsel had applied for their bail, arguing that the offences were bailable.

The case was adjourned till February 14 for hearing.

Those arraigned were Barinaaghaalo Kugbor (26), God-Gift Brienalor (24), Stephen Nuata (24), Akpobari Aminikpo (29), Sunday Dugbor (20), Dubor Kpeghasi (30), Promise Kagbor (29), Baribor Nnade (25), Kiesira Nteegha (22), Lucky Pourii (25) and Baridor Kukue (27).