10 protesters remanded for vandalising Rivers bank

A Magistrates’ Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has remanded one Kenneth Nnadozie and nine others at a correctional centre in Port Harcourt for malicious damage to a commercial bank in the Borikiri axis of the state.

PUNCH Metro had reported that some hoodlums hijacked a protest by bank customers demonstrating against the scarcity of the new naira policy in the metropolis last week.

During the incident, the hoodlums robbed passersby and destroyed the Automated Teller Machines and some structures on the premises of some banks.

The hoodlums were said to have also carted away property after the attack.

The suspects, who are standing trial on six counts for alleged conspiracy, housebreaking, stealing, and unlawful gathering on February 17, invaded a commercial bank, stole, damaged and riotously assembled in the guise of protesting for the scarcity of the new naira notes.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and their counsels argued on the bail application.

The Chief Magistrate, Rita Ogugua, after listening to counsels representing the parties, adjourned the case till February 22, 2023, for bail consideration.

Ogugua directed that the suspects be sent to the correctional centre in Port Harcourt.

The Chief Magistrate, however, granted bail to another set of eight suspects facing the same six counts bordering on conspiracy, housebreaking, stealing, unlawful gathering, riotous assembly, and malicious damage of a commercial bank in the state.