Sunday Joseph and Timothy Danjuma appeared before an Upper Customary Court in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, on Monday, accused of obstructing police officers on duty.
The defendants face eight charges, including criminal conspiracy, possession of illicit drugs, involvement in a gang of brigands, and unlawful assembly. Additionally, they are accused of unlawfully possessing weapons, inflicting bodily harm, obstructing public servants in their duties, and robbery.
According to Police Prosecutor Insp Esther Bishen, the defendants, along with others who are currently at large, allegedly committed these offences on April 23 in Kafanchan.
“A team of policemen were on patrol “when they sighted a group of 10 persons suspected to be criminals terrorising Kafanchan township’’.
Bishen reported that upon the arrival of the policemen, other members of the group fled, while the defendants were apprehended.
She further detailed that the defendants allegedly assaulted two police officers by head-butting and striking them with a stick. Additionally, they purportedly made an attempt to seize the officers’ rifles.
The prosecutor disclosed that during the arrest, four wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp were discovered in the possession of the defendants.
According to Bishen, these actions violated the provisions of sections 58, 291, 64, 393, 215, 113, and 281 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law.
Upon hearing the charges, both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following this, the prosecutor requested an adjournment to allow the police to present witnesses in support of their case.
In response to the defendant’s bail application, the presiding judge, Mr. George Gwani, granted them bail in the sum of N150,000 each, along with one surety each who must match the bail amount.
The case was adjourned until May 29 for further proceedings.
