Two men, Sunday Joseph and Timothy Danjuma, were on Monday brought before an Upper Customary Court in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, for allegedly obstructing police officers on duty.
The defendants are standing trial on eight counts of criminal conspiracy, possession of illicit drugs, belonging to a gang of brigands and unlawful assembly.
Other charges include unlawful possession of weapons, causing bodily harm, obstructing public servants in the discharge of function and robbery.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp Esther Bishen, told the court that the defendants and others at large committed the offences on April 23 in Kafanchan.
“A team of policemen were on patrol “when they sighted a group of 10 persons suspected to be criminals terrorising Kafanchan township’’.
Bishen stated that upon sighting the policemen, other members of the group fled while the defendants were arrested.
She said the defendants head-butted and hit two of the police officers with a stick and also attempted to snatch their rifles.
The prosecutor added that four wraps of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp were found in their possession.
The offences, Bishen said, contravened the provisions of sections 58, 291, 64, 393, 215, 113 and 281 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law.
When the charges were read to the defendants, they both pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor thereafter prayed the court for adjournment to enable the police to call witnesses to prove its case against them.
Ruling on the defendant’s bail application, the presiding judge, Mr George Gwani, admitted them to bail in the sum of N150,000 each and one surety in like sum.
Gwani adjourned the matter until May 29 for further mention.