Chidi Lloyd: Court to rule on bail application today

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Justice Latan Nyordee of the Port Harcourt high court will rule today whether bail should be granted Chidi Lloyd, the leader of the Rivers House of Assembly, now facing trial over the fracas at the assembly on 9 July when minority members attempted to topple the speaker of the house.

An Ahoada High Court in the same state presided over by Justice Charles N. Wali had granted bail to Lloyd on Monday.

But Justice Nyorde ordered he be remanded in prison custody yesterday, declining to affirm the bail earlier granted him by a similar court.

Lloyd is standing trial on a six-count charge of conspiracy to murder and assault, attempted murder and malicious damage has been in and out of Court for over two weeks after a spell of detention at the police headquarters in Abuja.

When he came before Justice Latan Nyordee yesterday and the six-count the charge was read to him, he pleaded not guilty.

In conformity with the Nigerian constitution as regards criminal prosecution, the state attorney-general,Worgu Boms, has taken over from the Nigeria Police.

Lloyd’s lawyer, Beluolisa Nwofor, had applied for his bail on health grounds and on self recognition.

Justice Latan Nyordee adjourned ruling till today, 7 August.

However, a faction of the PDP in the state, led by Felix Obuah has expressed fears that with the taking over of the case by the Rivers state attorney general, “justice is on suspension in case”.