The Police in Bayelsa State have dragged 12 women to court over “unlawful assembly and use of juju” to block the ongoing construction of the state government-sponsored Yenagoa-Oporoma Road from Agobiri community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.
The list of the docked women include Madam Nerisa John (43), Chriatiana Famous (36), Dolphina Ochai (34), Flora Clinton (55), Ayibanua Lucky (33) and Motoko Oyibadoemi (54).
Others are Amilo Brandy (30), Tuebi Romeo (25), Ayibaegben Godbless (40), Becky Williams (37), Ayababy Kwoli (50) and Falaba David (30).
In the two-count charge against them before the Magistrate Court, Oporoma Division, the police accused the protesting women of allegedly on November 24 and 30 at Agobiri community in Oporoma magistrate district;
“Conspire among yourselves to commit a felony with unlawful assembly and thereby commit an offence punishable under section 444(d) of the criminal code law, Cap C 14 laws of Bayelsa State, 2006.
“That you (all the accused) and others at large on the same date and place in the aforesaid Magisterial district with intent to carry out a common purpose, did assemble in such a manner by blocking the ongoing Oporoma-Yenagoa Road construction with sticks, plantain, juju, palm fronds, causing persons in the neighbourhood to fear;
“And tumultuously disturb the peace of the people using the access road without reasonable occasion and thereby committing an offence contrary to section 54 and punishable under section 55 of the criminal code law, Cap C14 laws of Bayelsa State.”
They, however, pleaded not guilty and were granted bail at N50,000 each, with one surety who owns a landed property.
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The presiding Magistrate, A. N. Asuku adjourned the case till December 6.
The women had allegedly threatened to stop the road project if the Governor Douye Diri administration did not include their community as a beneficiary of the road project.
