Two men were arrested and taken to court for wearing face mask belonging to Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) in Ebonyi State.
The Ebonyi state Police arrested Uchenna Innocent, aged 36 and Areji Emmanuel, aged 42, on the 1st of June, along Ogoja road Abakaliki.
The two suspects were arraigned on two count charges at the Abakaliki Magistrate court on charge No. MAB 267c/2020.
The investigating police officer, Sgt. Nnamu Onyekachi, told the court that the offense was punishable under section 516A of criminal code Cap 33 Vol. 1 laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009.
The charge reads in parts, ”that you Uchenna Innocent ‘m’ , Areji Emmanuel m’ and others at large on the 1st day of June, 2020 at Ogoja road Abakaliki in Abakaliki Magisterial District did conspired among yourself to wit: misdemeanor to commit conduct likely to cause breach of peace and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516A(a) of the criminal code Cap 33 Vol.1 laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009.”
”That you Uchenna Innocent ‘m’ , Areji Emmanuel m’ and others at large on the same day date, time, place and in the aforesaid Magisterial District did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by wearing face mask belonging to procribed group known as MASSOB and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Cap 33 Vol. Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.”
Counsel to the accused, Barr. P.I Awoke, in his argument maintained that his clients were Innocent and should be allowed to go about their daily businesses without further harssement from the police.
The presiding magistrate, Anthony Nwusulor, granted the suspects bail on the condition that a grade level 8 civil servant would be able to stand as surety.
