B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G: 3 Arraigned In Court, Remanded In Prison For Defaming MAN Rector

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

Three members of a suspected criminal syndicate that specialize in scandalizing the characters of public office holders and engaging in extortion through cybercrime bullying were today, Friday, June 14, 2024 arraigned before Justice Nwite of the Federal High Court 9 Abuja.

The defendants, JO Udobang (a former External Solicitor to the Academy), OU Essien and Micheal Edet  were arraigned in court for allegedly attempting to blackmail the Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Commodore DE Effedua (Rtd).

Together with others still at large the defendants the court heard had in 2021 attempted to extort the rector through criminal blackmail, and failing engaged in orchestrated criminal defamation of the rector’s character by writing spurious petitions alleging fraudulent practices and embezzlement of the Academy money to a number of anti-graft agencies.

He explained that the defendants along with a former staff of the Academy, Adamu Jibril subjected the rector to severe blackmail and harassment aimed at extorting him but failed woefully as Effedua refused to yield to their nefarious, criminal pressures.

Our reporter learnt that the long arm of the law caught up with the three when crack police officers busted their cover and had them arrested, and subsequently arraigned them in court.

According to the case with suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/469 /2023, the suit is between the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Vs Michael Edet and the two others. The prosecutor accused the three defendants of four (4) count charge of felony against the rector.

After the charge was read to the defendants the defendants pleaded not guilty, their counsel addressing the court on their bail application, told the court that the defendant will deposit their Call-To-Bar Certificate in lieu of bail material requirements to convince the court that they will not jump bail.

Although the prosecution counsel did not object to the bail application, he reminded the court that justice should be seen to have been served since the court has the discretion to grant bail.

Thereafter the court granted the defendants bail on condition that they deposit their Call-To-Bar Certificate with the court, in addition to swearing to an affidavit of mean with two passport photographs, each.

However Justice Nwite remanded them in Kuje Prison until they are able to perfect their bail conditions, while the matter was adjourned to July 11, 2024.

Meanwhile, sources at the Academy informed that MICHEAL EDET AND ASSOCIATES used to drive the alleged faceless petitions is not registered with the corporate affairs commission (CAC).