A Federal Capital Territory High Court ordered the remand of 13 members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) at Kuje prison. This order comes amid allegations of attempting to murder NUPENG’s national president, Williams Akporeha, and two others.
Justice Yusuf Halilu remanded the 13 defendants in prison after their arraignment on a five-count criminal charge on Friday evening. They face trial by the Inspector General of Police for purportedly assaulting Akporeha, Wale Afolabi (NUPENG’s president and general secretary), and Augustine Egbon, the newly elected national chairman of PTD.
The individuals arraigned include former PTD national chairman Lucky Osesua, deputy Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, Humble Obinna, Akinolu Olabisi, Godwin Nwaka, Tiamiu Sikiru, Abdulmimin Shaibu, John Amajuoyi, Zaira Aregbo, Patrick Erhivwor, Stephen Ogheneruemu, Gift Ukponku, and Sunday Ezeocha.
The case (FCT/HC/CR/042/2023) alleges that on November 1, 2023, the defendants besieged the PTD office at No. 50 Moses Majekodunmi Crescent, Utako District, intending harm against Akporeha, Afolabi, Solomon Kilanko, and Augustine Egbon, contravening Section 114 of the Penal Code Act, 2004.
They are accused of actions likely to cause the deaths of Akporeha and Egbon, an offense under Section 229 of the Penal Code Act, 2004, and of causing grievous bodily harm to their victims.
While the defendants pleaded not guilty, the prosecution counsel, Frank Longe, sought a trial date. The defendants’ lead counsel, Chris Oshomogie, SAN, orally applied for bail, contending that the offenses are bailable. However, the court rejected this, instructing a formal bail application before adjourning the trial to November 21.
Pending the bail request’s determination, Justice Yusuf ordered the defendants’ transfer to Kuje prison in Abuja for remand.