Two arraigned for peddling false information in Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command has arraigned two individuals, Menwe Nnamdi James, 38, and Ekele Okorogba, 40, before a Magistrate’s court in Port Harcourt for allegedly peddling false information on the death of a motorcyclist.

The Guardian gathered that their arraignment was aimed at addressing the recent killing of a commercial motorcyclist in Ahoada, Bayelsa State.

Rivers State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) charged the defendants with providing false information to the Police regarding the murder of Godstime Innocent, a motorcyclist on November 17, 2024, in Ahoada main town.

According to the charge sheet, James and Okorogba allegedly conspired to give false information to the Police, by accusing Hector Ekeakita Chinenye, the Public Relation Officer of Igbu-Akoh Youth Congress, Ahoada East Local Council, of being responsible for the killing.

The charge sheet reads: “That you Menwe Nnamdi James, Ekele Okorogba on November 17, at Ahoada main town in Ahoada Magisterial District but triable in the Port Harcourt Magisterial District did conspire amongst yourself to give false information to the Police and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516A of the criminal code of CAP 37 Vol.11 law of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999.”

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the two-count charges when it was read to them.

Senior Magistrate Wobia C. Akani granted them bail, with one surety each in the sum of N500,000.

He stressed that the surety must have verifiable means of livelihood and address.

The Magistrate thereafter adjourned to January 21, 2025, for hearing.