The two pilots of Caverton Helicopters and 10 passengers who were dragged before the Court, on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, by the Rivers State Government, for violating the Executive Order on the closure of borders and restriction of movement into the state, are now free.
Africa Update had in an earlier report, stated that the pilots and passengers were prosecuted by the Rivers State Government for allegedly disobeying the state Executive order on COVID-19.
But to the surprise and delight of many, the Rivers State Government through the Honourable Attorney-General Prof. Adangor, has discontinued and withdrawn the two separate charges (PMC/532C/2020 and PMC/533C/2020) preferred against the two pilots of Caverton Helicopters Ltd and the 10 passengers on board before the Port Harcourt Chief Magistrates’ Court.
According to a statement by the state Commissioner for information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, on Tuesday, “Consequently, the presiding Chief Magistrate, D. D. Ihua-Maduenyi Esq; has struck out the two charges and discharged all the defendants.”
The Court presided over by Chief Magistrate D.D . Ihua-Maduenyi had remanded the two pilots Samuel Buhari and Samuel Ugorji, at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre till May 19, 2020 when their trial commenced and he had ruled that COVID-19 tests be carried out on the two pilots to ascertain their status.
The Pilots were arrested by the Rivers State Govt Task Force on Covid 19 for flying people into Rivers State, and arraigned via charge number: PMC/532C/2020.Prosecution Counsel and Officer-in-charge, Legal of the Rivers State Police Command, a Superintendent of Police, Gladys Amadi, told the court that the acts of the two pilots were capable of putting the entire State in danger of contracting coronavirus.
She urged the court to remand them in prison custody to enable the Police conclude their investigation. She noted that allowing the accused persons roam the streets would endanger others in the state.According to her, remanding the pilots would also stop them from further violating the Executive Order.
The Pilots were facing a four-count charge: Count 1: That you Samuel Ugorji (m), Samuel Buhari (m) and others now at large as pilot and co-pilot of Twin-Otter, Carveton Helicopters on the 7th day of April 2020 at the Air Force Base , Port Harcourt in the Port Harcourt Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit misdemeanour to wit: disobedience to lawful order and thereby committed an offence under section 517A of the criminal code CAP 37, Vol 11 Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.
Count 2: That you Samuel Ugorji (m), Samuel Buhari (m) and others now at large on the same date and place at the aforesaid magisterial District did intentionally disobey the lawful order issued by the Governor of Rivers State as contained in paragraph 8 of the Executive Order RVSG -01 2020 made pursuant to Sections 2, 4, and 8 of Quarantine Act Cap. Q2 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Regulation 11 of the Quarantine (Coronavirus (COVID-19 ) and other infectious diseases) regulations , 2020 by flying the Twin-Otter Caverton Helicopters into Air Force Base, Port Harcourt and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 5 of the Quarantine Act Cap Q2 LFN , 2004.
Count 3: That you Samuel Ugorji (m), Samuel Buhari (m) and others now at large on the same date and place at the aforesaid magisterial District did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by flying and discharging passengers from the Twin-Otter helicopter at the Air Force Base, Port Harcourt and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 249 (d) of the criminal code laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.
Count 4: That you Samuel Ugorji (m), Samuel Buhari (m) and others now at large on the same date and place at the aforesaid magisterial District did intentionally disobey the lawful order issued by the Governor of Rivers State on restriction of movement and flights within the State contrary to paragraph 8 of the Executive Order RVSG -01 2020 and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 203 of the criminal code laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.
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