Two Men In Court For Arson

Two aged men have
been arraigned before a Port Harcourt Chief Magistrate presided over by  I.O. Agbesor for an alleged arson and other criminal offences with charge number pone/106c/2014.
The two accused persons are Rev Joseph Nmerukini, 51, and Poki Douglas, 57, are standing trial on a two court charge bordering on arson and unlawful setting High Court building on fire.
The prosecuting police officer, Inspector E. Ogbonna told the court that the accused persons and others now at large on the 6th day of January, 2014 at Umuolu, Okehi I in Etche Local Government Area of the state in the Port Harcourt Magisterial District did conspired amongst themselves to commit felony to with: Arson.
The Police prosecutor further told the court that the accused persons and others now at large on the same date and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District did willfully and unlawfully allegedly set fire on the High Court of justice building, Etche Judicial division, adding that the accused persons committed an offence punishable under section 516 (A) and section 443 of the Criminal Code, Law, Cap 37 Vol. II Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty in all the charges brought against them.
In his ruling, the presiding Chief Magistrate Court 5, I.O. Agbesor granted the accused persons on self recognition and directed that the original case file of the matter be forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. The case was later adjourned to May 12th, 2014 for DPP report.