By CrossRiverWatch admin
Justice Ogbojo Ogar of Court 4, Calabar High Court has yesterday Wednesday 6th April 2016, granted bail to the accused 14 dismissed policemen of the Cross River State Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) standing trial for the murder one Maurice Derrick (DD) and 5 others.
Delivering judgment on the defendants bail applications, after acknowledging the fact that “the case is a murder case and the evidence weightier” Justice Ogar granted the accused bail on the following conditions: bond of N2,000,000 (two million naira), surety who is a Director in the Cross River State Civil Service and will tender his official ID card and three current pay slips.
While reacting to CrossRiverWatch, Barrister James Ibor, lawyer to the complainants said while the trial judge has the discretion of granting bail to the accused, he still can’t help but fear that the accused might abuse the privilege so granted by the court.
His words, “My only concern is that , that privilege granted the accused persons may be abused, because even when they are in custody, they have attempted severally while trial was on to frustrate the evidence of the prosecution by harassing witnesses severally. So I am afraid they would abuse the privilege graciously granted them by the trial court.”
He nonetheless said that he believes that justice will be served in the case as he described the court as competent with the legal standing to grant bail to anyone on any matter.
Ibor concluded by disclosing that his clients are afraid and would need to apply for police witness protection.
The case is slated to continue hearing on the 14 and 16 April 2016, 9am at Calabar High Court, Mary Slessor road, Court room 4.