Man Charged with attempt to snatch electoral equipment
A 20-year-old man was on Wednesday arraigned before an Abuja Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly attempting to snatch electoral equipment and inciting public disturbance at one of INEC’s voters’ registration centres.
Abubakar Butalawa of Lami Street, Wuse, Abuja, was arraigned for criminal force, assault, obstructing lawful duties and inciting public disturbance with attempts to snatch electoral materials/equipment, thereby contravening Sections 242, 114 and 95 of the Penal Code.
Prosecutor, Abdullahi Adamu, told the court that on January 18, one Corporal Salim Musa attached to Wuse Police Division reported that while they were performing their lawful duties at Educational Resource Centre Polling Unit at Wuse Zone 7, the accused with his gangs now at large, attacked the polling unit with an intention to snatch electoral materials/ equipment.
He said in a bid to stop them, the accused fought with policemen and tore their uniforms before he was arrested, while the members of his gang fled.
When the charges were read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty and requested for bail, which was not opposed by the prosecutor.
Magistrate Aminu Eri granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two reliable sureties, who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
The case was adjourned to February 14 for hearing.
Daily Trust Friday, January 21st 2011
Page 54
By Itodo Daniel Sule & Usman A. Bello
