The Department of State Serices, DSS on Tuesday, arraigned the Secretary to the Rivers State government , SSG, Mr Kenneth Kobani and a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Mr Azubuike Chikere Wanjoku before a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt over their alleged misconducts during the last rerun elections in the state.
The misconducts were said to have constituted threats to public peace. Kobani and others at large were charged for an alleged offence punishable by the Terrorism preventon 2011. Kobani pleaded not guilty to the three count charges read to him.
The charges reads “that you Kenneth Kobani with others at large on or about March 3 ,2016 at a meeting held in your residence at Bodo community , Gokana local government did conspire to carry out activities that could cause the breach of the peace and break down of law and order on the 19 March 2016 thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 516 of the criminal code act.
“Count two – that you Kenneth Kobani and others at large on or about March 19 2016 at the premises of INEC office, Gokana LGA, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did conduct yourself in a manner that caused the breach of peace by leading and instructing your followers to barricade the entrance of the INEC office, prevent officials of the commission and other adhoc staff from discharging their duties and causing stampede in the vicinity thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 249 d of the criminal code. Count three that on or about 19 March ,2016 at the premises of INEC office , Gokana LGA, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did hold Mr James Simon , an official of the commission and other adhoc staff hostage until their eventual rescue by security personnel, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 11 of the Terrorism prevention act 2011.
Justice Liman Mohammed granted him bail on self recognition and adjourned the matter to June 15 for hearing. Wanjoku, who was APC candidate for Ikwerre State House of Assembly constituency seat in the rerun election, was charged for allegedly falsefully accusing the Ikwerre INEC Electoral Officer , Mr Kingsley Osifu, of collecting some amount of money from him to disrupt public order and security. He was granted bail in the sum of N500,000
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