Drama as remanded apprentice flee from courtroom

<p>In a statement made available to newsmen in Abakaliki by the command’s spokesperson, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, he said a police officer was also injured by the warlords.</p>, <p>The convicts were arraigned separately by the Benin Zonal office of the commission on counts bordering on retention of proceeds of crime, fraudulent representation and unlawful possession of fraudulent documents.</p>, <p>The previous administration led by David Umahi had revoked the disputed land and had ordered the two communities to stay away.</p>, <p>According to him, Justice Itsueli convicted and sentenced the trio of Promise Uduaghan, Elvis Onojebe and Omokaro Omonefe to three year imprisonment with an option of N200,000 fine.</p>, <p>“Also sentenced to prison are Osahenie Uwoghiren, Emmanuel Osifo, Timothy Nowamagbe, Desmond Taiwo, Atunu Ewomaoghene, Elvis Onojebe, Promise Uduaghan, Francis Okoliko and Omokaro Omonefe.”</p>, <p>Seeking an adjournment to study the case file and prepare his witnesses for trial, the prosecutor presented his case. Meanwhile, the defence counsel, Mr Rufus Omotayo, appealed to the court to grant the defendant bail in the most liberal terms.</p>, <p>“Knowing that same represents the proceeds of criminal conduct of the said Osawonyi Ella and others and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( Establishment ) Act, 2004 and punishable under section 17(b) of the same Act.”</p>, <p>The EFCC spokesman said upon arraignment, they all pleaded guilty to their respective charges prompting the prosecution counsel, F.A. Jirbo, I.M Elodi, Saliu Ahmed, A.A.Ibrahim and A.S Balariba to pray for the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.</p>, <p>“Azeke, Miracle, Aifo, Efetobor, Uwoghiren, Osifo on the other hand bagged three year imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 each.</p>, <p>“Counsel to the defendants, however, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were first time offenders who had turned a new leaf.</p>, <p>“Justice I