General News of Thursday, 12 February 2015

Source: starrfmonline.com

Pirates' court no-show: lack of vehicle excuse baffling - Agalga

Deputy Interior Minister James Agalga has described as “baffling”, claims by the State prosecutors involved in the prosecution of 8 Nigerian pirates that their failure to produce them in court on Wednesday was as a result of the unavailability of vehicles.

Mr Agalga told Bernard Nasara Saibu on Starr Today on Wednesday that the Police Service has enough vehicles at its disposal to convey suspects to Court.

He said his Ministry will investigate the matter to get to the bottom of it. The suspects were arrested aboard vessel MT Mariam, early this year.

The Ghana Navy on Saturday January 17, 2015 foiled their attack.

The pirates were armed but no one, including a nine-member crew was injured when the Ghana Navy crew aboard GNS BLIKA effected the arrest.

The suspects who have been charged with ‘conspiracy to commit crime and piracy’ first appeared in court on January 23, but the case was adjourned to Wednesday.

Counsel for the suspects, Uche Nwosu argued that the continuous denial of bail to his clients is a violation of their human rights, enshrined in the 1992 constitution.

He noted also that the police have denied him access to his clients since their last appearance in court.

Nwosu, therefore prayed the court to order the Police and the BNI to allow him access to his clients.