Uchendu Mark – Port Harcourt
A magistrate court sitting in Port Harcourt has remanded the former Managing Director of Rivers state microfinance agency, Dr Ipalibo Sogules and three other head of the agency for alleged conspiracy and advanced fee fraud.
The four defendants Ipalibo Sogules, Nimi Harry, Ukele Okorji and Sofiri Koko who are standing trial on two count charge of conspiracy, advanced fee fraud of over N13 million.
It will be recalled that Governor Nyesom Wike recently ordered the arrest of the MD of the Rivers state microfinance agency.
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When the matter came up in court, no charge was read, no plea taken for lack of jurisdiction but defence counsel urged that the court to grant the defendants bail as they have no records of conviction and as well urged the court to consider other options, quoting section 165 of the Rivers state adminstration of criminal justice law.
The Defence counsels also drew the attention of the court to the COVID-19 pandemic protocol and the medical history of the 1st and fourth defendants are hypertensive.
The prosecuting counsel, Chidi Ekeh in his argument declined that the defendant be remanded based on the two charges, adding that the court lack jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
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Chief magistrate A O Amadi-Nna in his ruling on the bail application, ruled that the court lack the jurisdiction to entertain or hear the matter and ordered that the defendants be remanded in Swift Operation Squad SOS police station due to COVID-19 protocol.
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The Magistrate also orders that the case file be sent to the Department of Public Prosecution DPP and adjourned the case to the 6th of July 2020 for legal advise and proper arraignment.
Speaking to our correspondent, the state prosecuting counsel Chidi Ekeh said the magistrate court lack the jurisdiction, adding that they would be properly arraign at the court of jurisdiction.
