Posted by From ROSE EJEMBI, Makurdi on
Contender for the Benue South Senatorial seat in the National Assembly, currently being occupied by the Senate President, David Mark, Alhaji Usman Abubakar has been arraigned before a Makurdi Chief Magistrate Court for falsification and abetment of falsification of INEC result forms EC8E series chargeable under section 97 and 364 of the Penal code.
Contender for the Benue South Senatorial seat in the National Assembly, currently being occupied by the Senate President, David Mark, Alhaji Usman Abubakar has been arraigned before a Makurdi Chief Magistrate Court for falsification and abetment of falsification of INEC result forms EC8E series chargeable under section 97 and 364 of the Penal code.
Abubakar, whose petition caused the eventual annulment of Mark's election, was arraigned on Monday alongside one Benjamin Obe. According to the prosecution led by DSP Raphael Nkem, Abubakar had denied ever knowing the second accused during police investigation.
In their response, both accused pleaded not guilty to the two count charges while counsel to the accused, Mr S. Orkuma asked the court to grant the accused bail in self recognition citing section 341 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code, pointing out that the case is already pending at the appeal court.
However, the prosecutor told the court that police investigation has been concluded even as legal advice has also been received on the case and asked for a hearing date, stating that he has no objection to the bail application but that it should not be granted in self recognition.
The Chief Magistrate, Edwin Arii in his ruling granted the accused bail in self recognition and in the sum of N20,000 while the second accused was also granted bail in the sum of N20,000 and a surety in the like sum. The case was adjourned till July 28, this year for hearing.
It would be recalled that shortly before the judgment of the Benue State Governorship and Legislative Houses Election Petition tribunal in the case between Senator Mark and Alhaji Abubakar, INEC had raised alarm about the alteration of some of its documents by the accused and his cronies.
This led to the arrest and detention of some top INEC officials in the state and eventual invitation of Alhaji Abubakar by the state police command in respect of the falsification of some INEC documents.
Within that period, the police declared Abubakar wanted, saying all efforts to get him to come for interrogation proved abortive but few hours after the declaration, he in company of some of his lawyers walked into the police headquarters.