The Legal Aid Council in Bayelsa has said it secured the discharge of three indigent suspects in the last one week.
Coordinator of the council in Bayelsa Mr. Eddy Inenevwo said in an interview on Wednesday that the organisation is working hard to provide free legal service to indigent suspects.
Inenevwo noted the three acquitals were achieved in less than six months from when the suspects were charged to court, adding that closing out the cases within the time frame was remarkable.
According to him, the coucil stood in defence of Christopher Birigene, 28
in Suit no, KMC/13C/2024, he was arraigned for allegedly stealing 24 bunches of plantain and destroying doors belonging to his father.
He said the offence was committed on Oct, 11, 2024 punishable under section 317 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Bayelsa.
The Coordinator also said that the council provided free legal service to Woyiengipre Koko, 40 in suit no KMC/14C/2024
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According to him, Koko was arraigned on Octo. 25, 2024 for the offense of grievous bodily harm against Julius Izon contrary to section 264 of the Criminal Code law Laws of Bayelsa state 2006
In the third case, suit no KMC/9C/2024, Timipa Edidi 41, was arraigned in June 2024 for unlawful possession of one locally made pistol.
Edidi enjoyed the defense of the council for the offence which contravenes section 27 (1) (b) (ii) of the Firearms Act laws of the Federation 2004.
The Legal Aid Coordinator explained that he personally handled the three cases presided over by Magistrate C. Alagoa.
“These cases were struck out for want of diligent prosecution, the coordinator addresses the court that there must be an end to litigation.
“This is an era of correctional decongestion. Therefore the prosecution and their witnesses have not shown diligence in the matter,” the Legal Aid Coordinator said.
The presiding magistrate of Kaiama struck out the charges against the defendants on April 4.
