Four traditional rulers and 11 others were yesterday arraigned by police for allegedly carting away some Permanent Voter Cards (PHC)which were meant for distribution to people by the Independent National Electoral Commission (NEC) in Kogi state.
The traditional rulers are Malam Ibrahim Mamud, the Okatama of Jamata and a third class chief, Alhaji Jubril Idris, the Ogidiga of Ohono, Malam Musa Abu, the Ohiho of Iziho and Malam Shaibu Momoh, the Ohiho of Gbaude.
Others were Hon. Musa Adekeke, Musa Amodu, Gambo Audu, Yakubu Alli, Salisu Musa.
The suspects were arrested differently on Friday and Saturday, respectively, and were detained and later arraigned before a Chief Magistrate court in Lokoja.
The police First Information Report (FIR) said the traditional rulers were charged for trying to truncate the 2015 general elections, criminal conspiracy, screening offender, and theft contrary to Sections 97(e), 167, 287 of the Penal Code Law.
When the case came up for mention, the police prosecution said one Buki Ezekiel of the B Police Division, Lokoja, reported that the suspects attacked one INEC official, Onwajeheri Gabriel, who was issuing permanent voter cards to members of the public at Ijiho Primary School.
He alleged that the suspects in their bid to truncate the forthcoming general elections conspired and forcefully carted away a carton containing some permanent voter cards.
He said about 433 cards were later recovered by the police from the accused persons, and that 535 cards were still missing.
The prosecution said due to the weight of the offence and the fact that police had not concluded their investigations, the accused persons should be remanded in prison custody.
All the 15 accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty.
The trial judge, Levi Animaku, in his ruling, said bail was a constitutional matter and the right of the accused persons.
He said the court was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the traditional rulers were men of integrity most of whom were advanced in aged, and, therefore, granted the accused bail in the sum of N30, 000 with a surety in the like sum.
He, therefore, adjourned the case to June 23, for further mention.