A Magistrate Court sitting in Lokoja has granted bail to three persons standing trial for mounting illegal roadblock, criminal conspiracy, impersonation and illegal collection of revenue.

The three accused persons are Abbah Emmanuel, Umar Abubakar, Kingsley Danasabe.

The suspects, who pleaded not guilty to the charges read to them in the First Information Report, were arrested by the Kogi Vigilante Service.

They were arrested on 13th November, 2024, along Federal University Lokoja, in Felele, while allegedly extorting money from motorists.

Delivering his judgement, the Senior Magistrate, Court 1, Abdullahi Musa Mopa, granted the accused persons bail to the tune of N400,000 and two sureties in like some.

The magistrate added that the sureties must have traceable addresses within Lokoja, and be public servants of Grade Level 14 serving in reputable institutions in the state.

The sureties must also produce their BVN, bank accounts and NIN.

The magistrate however adjoined the matter till 11th December, 2024, for further mention.

Mauzu .A. Abbas, counsel for the
defendants, had pleaded no objection submission for mention and hearing of the matter.

However, citing Section 36(5) of the Constitution as amended as well as Section 156 of the Kogi State Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2017, he argued that the defendants, having been in custody since 13th November, should be granted bail.

Responding, Gabriel Otowu, the prosecution counsel, did not object to the bail application but called for caution.

Kogi: Court grants bail to 3 alleged illegal tax collectors