A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, on Tuesday, admitted to bail the two pilots; Samuel Ugorji and Samuel Buhari, who were arrested for flouting an Executive Order on COVID-19 by the Rivers State Government.
Also admitted to bail were 10 passengers, who were flown into the Air Force Base in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
They (two pilots and 10 passengers) are to appear in court on May 19, 2020 for trial.
The 10 passengers were identified as Nwogu Chibunna, ‘m’ (39); Peter Michael, ‘m’ (43); Ajagba Iheanyi, ‘m’ (35); Ekperewechi Oguguo, ‘m’ (43); Nsikan Pius, ‘m’ (38); Abanobi Chinoso, ‘m’ (27); Udoh Hagan, ‘m’ (28); Okachukwu Chuks, ‘m’ (41); Goddy Chukwu, ‘m’ (42); and Omerurike Chijioke, ‘m’ (43).
Chief Magistrate, D.D. Ihua-Maduenyi, granted the two pilots bail after hearing the bail application by their counsel.
Counsel to the Caverton pilots, Nwokedi Ibe Esq, had presented a bail application, asking the court to admit the two pilots to bail.
The chief magistrate, in granting the two pilots bail, ordered that their surety would sign a bail bond of N1 million each for the two pilots. The surety must be a management staff of Caverton Helicopters, own a landed property in Port Harcourt and ensure that the two pilots attended trial.
The case was adjourned till May 19, 2020 for trial.