Major players in Rivers rerun election nabbed by DSS
– Two men have been arraigned by the DSS for their involvement in the Rivers rerun election
– An APC candidate and a state government secretary now face several serious misconduct charges
– The Rivers rerun elections were marred by widespread violence and major accusations of impropriety
The Department of State Security (DSS) has arraigned the secretary to the Rivers state government Kenneth Kobani, and a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Azubuike Chikere Wanjoku, at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt over alleged misconduct during the recent rerun elections in Rivers state.
Mr Kobani has been charged with various offences under the Terrorism Prevention Act of 2011.
Specifically, Mr Kobani is accused of holding an unlawful meeting in Gokana local government area, breaching the peace by instructing his followers to barricade the entrance of an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office and prevent officials from doing their duties, and holding one INEC official hostage.
The Rivers rerun election was marred by severe violence
Mr Kobani pleaded not guilty to the three count charges read to him.
Justice Liman Mohammed later granted him bail based on self-recognition and adjourned the case to June 15 for hearing.
Aside from being a senior state official, Mr Kobani is also a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party.
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Mr Wanjoku, who stood as the APC candidate for Ikwerre constituency seat in the state rerun election, was charged for falsely accusing the Ikwerre INEC Electoral Officer Kingsley Osifu of collecting money from him to disrupt public order and security.
The second count charge said the conduct of Mr Wanjoku allegedly obstructed the public officer from discharging his official duty.
The third count charge alleged that Wanjoku threaten to forcefully demand refund of the said money from the INEC officer, thereby committed an offence contrary to criminal code.
Rivers state governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike said several atrocities took place during the elections
Mr Wanjoku also pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Justice Liman granted him bail with the sum of N500,000 , ordering that he should get a senior civil servant to sign surety for him.
The judge also ordered that he be remanded in custody until the bail condition was met.
READ ALSO: Rivers state is not the deadliest state – Kobani
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