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Eddy Inenevwo, Coordinator of the council in Bayelsa, with the freed suspects shortly after acquitt
The Legal Aid Council in Bayelsa says that in the last on week, it has secured the discharge of three indigent suspects.
Mr. Eddy Inenevwo, Coordinator of the council in Bayelsa, told our correspondent on Wednesday in Yenagoa that the organisation is working assiduously to provide free legal services to indigent suspects.
He noted the three acquittals were achieved in less than six months from when the suspects were charged to court, adding that closing out the cases within the timeframe was remarkable.
He further said that the council stood in defence of Christopher Birigene, 28, in Suit no, KMC/13C/2024, who was arraigned for allegedly stealing 24 bunches of plantain and destroying doors belonging to his father.
According to him, the offence which was committed on Oct, 11, 2024, is punishable under section 317 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Bayelsa State.
He also said that the council provided free legal service to Woyiengipre Koko, 40, in suit no KMC/14C/2024.
According to him, Koko was arraigned on October 25, 2024 for inflicting grievous bodily harm on Julius Izon, an offence that contravenes Section 264 of the Criminal Code law Laws of Bayelsa State, 2006.
In the third case with Suit No: KMC/9C/2024, Timipa Edidi, 41, was arraigned in June, 2024, for unlawful possession of a locally-made pistol.
Edidi enjoyed the defense of the Council for the offence which contravenes section 27 (1) (b) (ii) of the Firearms Act laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The Legal Aid Coordinator explained that he personally handled the three cases which were presided over by Magistrate C. Alagoa.
“These cases were struck out for want of diligent prosecution.” The coordinator addressed the court that there must be an end to a litigation.
“This is an era of correctional decongestion. Therefore the prosecution and their witnesses have not shown diligence in the matter,” the Legal Aid Coordinator said.
The presiding magistrate of Kaiama struck out the charges against the defendants on April 4.
