Two Caverton Pilots, 10 others granted bail

Chinazor Megbolu

The two Caverton Helicopter Pilots and 10 passengers have been granted bail by a Chief Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The bail was granted them on Tuesday.

Those who were granted bail were the two pilots; Samuel Ugorji and Samuel Buhari, and 10 passengers after being arrested for flouting an executive order on COVID-19 by the Rivers State Government.

It would be recalled that the 10 passengers, who were flown into the Air Force Base in Port Harcourt by the two pilots, were to appear in court on May 19, 2020 for trial.

The 10 passengers are; Nwogu Chibunna, ‘m’ (39); Peter Michael, ‘m’ (43); Ajagba Iheanyi, ‘m’ (35); Ekperewechi Oguguo, ‘m’ (43); Nsikan Pius, ‘m’ (38); Abanobi Chinoso, ‘m’ (27); Udoh Hagan, ‘m’ (28); Okachukwu Chuks, ‘m’ (41); Goddy Chukwu, ‘m’ (42); and Omerurike Chijioke, ‘m’ (43).

However, the Chief Magistrate, D.D. Ihua-Maduenyi, granted the two pilots bail after hearing the bail application by their counsel.

Moreover, Lawyer for the Caverton pilots, Mr. Nwokedi Ibe, had presented a bail application, asking the court to grant the two pilots bail.

Ihua-Maduenyi, while granting the pilots bail, noted that they must present a surety, who must be a management staff of Caverton Helicopters, who owns a landed property in Port Harcourt and ensure that the two pilots attend the trial.

He also maintained that the surety would sign a bail bond of N1 million each for the two pilots respectively.

However, the court had earlier granted a motion abridging the time for the bail application to be filed following a motion moved by Caverton Helicopters.

The matter was adjourned till May 19, 2020 for trial.

Editing by ‘Biodun Soyele