A High Court in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, yesterday granted bail to three Catholic catechists for alleged possession of illegal fire arms in suit number, HID/41C/2016.
The trio granted bail yesterday were Daniel Nwoye, Agbo Peter and Patrick Ajuluchukwu. The Presiding Judge, Justice Arinze Akabuo, who granted the accused persons bail, allowed a Monsignor, who is also a lawyer, Nathaniel Obiagba, to sign their bail bonds.
This came despite the objection raised by the government counsel, Mrs S.N Nwanegbo Ezeaputa, who represented the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of the state in the matter.
Their bail was based on the application by their counsel, C.J Asiegbu, who maintained that the defendants had not been known for criminal activities before now, pledging that they would not jump bail as being feared.
Counsel to the government, Ezeaputa, had vehemently opposed the Monsignor taking the three accused persons on bail, adding that the transfer of the cleric outside Nigeria might jeopardise the trial of the suspects.
The Monsignor, however, told the court that he was in Anambra State to stay permanently, adding that the feared transfer to anywhere from Anambra was unfounded.
Other charges against the suspects apart from illegal possession of fire arms included forceful entry contrary to Section 115 of the Criminal Code Act and willful and unlawful damage.
The trail judge, justice Akabuo, later adjourned the matter for proper hearing for February 2nd and 7th, 2017.