Some pro-Biafran supporters who were arrested for protesting in major roads of Port Harcourt yesterday have appeared before a Chief Magistrate court in Port Harcourt.

The 20 men ranging from 20 to 50 years, who were arrested during the protest, could not take their plea in court.

Chief magistrate S.D Andrew-Jaja could not hear the matter following the nature of the charge.

He adjourned till 27th of this month for counsels to address the court on its jurisdiction to grant bail to the accused persons.

The courts said the adjourned date will also allow the court ascertain the gravity of the offence of the accused persons, having in mind that the accused have been charged for treason, an offence that carries death penalty.

Some family members of those arrested said their relatives were arrested for no just cause.

A counsel to ten of the accused persons, Damiabo Davies said the Police cannot justify why the accused persons were arrested.

“This kind of thing keeps happening in this country. I think the masses should rise up against these illegal arrests. The police just go about picking people in their shops”, he said.

In the meantime, the accused persons have been remanded in prison custody.

The accused persons were charged for treasonable felony for agitating for seccession and trying to pull down Nigeria flag, an offence punishable under section 451 of the Criminal Code, Cap C38 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.
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