Legal Aid Council frees three indigent defendants in Yenagoa

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Legal Aid Council has secured the discharge and acquittal of four indigent defendants at the Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa.

The defendants, James Peter, Esueya Ikeloti, Somikien Precious and Pereowei Moses, had been standing trial since 2023 over allegations of cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.

Other charges against them included conspiracy and acts likely to cause a breach of the peace.

They were arraigned before Justice Iniekadi Eradiri of the Bayelsa State High Court, Judiciary Headquarters, Ovom, Yenagoa.

After reviewing the case, the court discharged and acquitted the defendants of all charges filed by the prosecution and ordered their immediate release.

The defendants were represented by Eddy Inenevwo, Esq., Coordinator of the Legal Aid Council in Bayelsa State.

Reacting to the judgment, Inenevwo said the Council remained committed to ensuring access to justice by providing free legal services to indigent Nigerians.

He explained that the trial judge, upon observing that the defendants had no legal representation, assigned the case to the Legal Aid Council on March 18, 2024.

The Council subsequently took over the matter and saw it through to its conclusion.

Inenevwo added that, beyond cases assigned by courts, the Legal Aid Council regularly visits correctional centres to identify detainees who cannot afford legal services, while its offices remain open to members of the public in need of assistance.