Edo State Police Command arraigned two persons on Monday at the Oredo Magistrate Court for allegedly providing false information that led to the wrongful arrest of three people.
The accused, Gabriel Ekhaigba, male, 77 and Bashiru Aliu, male, 50, were arraigned on two charges bordering on conspiracy and false information.
When the charges were read to the accused, they both pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutor, Olajide Mary Omonor, a police Inspector told the court that the offences were committed on May 4, 2021 at the Edo State Police Command headquarters in Benin City.
Olajide, alleged that the accused gave false information to Sunday Udoka, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, the information that was later found to be untrue.
According to the charge sheet, the duo and others now at large on May 4, 2021 at the Edo State Police command headquarters, Benin, in the Oredo magisterial district, did conspire together to commit felony.
She said the offence is punishable under section 516 of the criminal code Cap 48 Vol. 11 laws of defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976 now applicable in Edo State.
On the second count, the accused and others now at large, were also alleged to have on the same day, month and year, at the state police command headquarters in Benin, in Oredo magisterial district, did give false information to an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Sunday Udoka (m), a police officer being a person employed in the public service through written statements and addressed to the commissioner of police in the state.
The count further added that the accused also wrote statements on May 6, 2021 where they alleged that one Umoru Yusuf (m), Jimoh Yusuf Mayo (m) and Kebiru Yusuf were involved in cultism knowing same to be false.
It added that the false information caused ASP Sunday Udoka to perform a duty he ought not to have performed if the true facts were made known to him.
He noted that the offences are punishable under section 125 (1)(a) and (b) of the criminal code laws of the defunct Bendel State of 1976 now applicable in Edo State.
Counsel to the accused persons, Steve Oko pleaded that the accused be granted bail.
He opined that the offences were bailable while the police prosecutor who did not object to the oral application averred that the granting of bail is at the discretion of the court.
The presiding justice, F.O Oghahenhen, senior Magistrate Grade II granted the accused bail with the sum of N50, 000 each, a surety in like sum who must be gainfully employed.
She, however, adjourned the case to October 11, 2022 for hearing.
