The trial of Chief Security Officer (CSO) in Etche Local Government over alleged assault of the Leader of the Legislative Assembly, Hon. (Mrs) Cynthia Nwala, continued on Monday with the CSO again appearing in court.
The case was mentioned at Chief Magistrate Court 7, Port-Harcourt, on Monday before Chief Magistrate I. F. Iyabo.
The prosecution representing the State Police Command, ASP Wilson Isaiah, had applied for adjournment and was not opposed by defence.
He said that he was making the application because the first prosecution witness, Hon. (Mrs) Nwala, was not in court but had said she had told him she was on her way to the court.
Although the case was for hearing he had said he was making the application considering the traffic situation and was not opposed by in the metropolis defence.
The defence counsel told the court there were already moves to reconcile both parties since they belong to same political party.
The Chief Magistrate adjourned the case to December 15 for hearing.
However speaking with newsmen, the counsel representing the CSO, Daisy Nwokedi, said that the allegation against her client needed to be proved before the court.
She said: “If there is any offence before the court it has to be proven and the court must listen to all the parties, listen to all the witnesses and arrive at a conclusion before any decision can be taken”.
She said that the alleged offence was merely an allegation until her client was proved guilty.
The Chief Security Officer of Etche Local Government allegedly assaulted the Leader of the Legislative Assembly, Hon (Mrs) Cynthia Nwala, in the council premises recently.
In interview earlier granted, a councillor representing Igbodo Ward 14 in Etche Legislative Assembly, Hon. Bestman Azuonwu, recalled how the Legislative Leader was allegedly assaulted by the CSO of the council.
He said the Leader was assaulted as she was going to leave the council premises after the day’s business having screened Supervisory Councillors and aides of the Chairman together with other councillors.
Narrating her ordeal the councillor said: “After we finished sitting on that day the Leader wanted to rush down somewhere. We the guys were still inside exchanging pleasantries. When she got to the Council gate it was locked so she was trying to make calls to know what happened. When she called the Chairman to know why the place was locked, the Chairman was not giving favourable response. So while she was trying to come out to decipher why the gate was locked she saw the CSO coming with about 20 or 25 thugs. They came down to where she was close to the gate telling her to open the vehicle but she refused to open.
“They dragged her vehicle but she refused opening it so they went and brought knife, broke the glasses of the vehicle, both the front and back. They now forcefully opened her vehicle, dragged her out and she fell on the ground and they bounced on her”.
He also said their counsel applied for amendment of the charges against CSO saying that the police made the charges appear mere adding that even if they were to win the case the punishment would not be severe.
He said that the charges by the police only said that the Leader of Etche Legislative Assembly was given fist blow on her forehead by CSO and her car was vandalized and her gown torn.
He said that the boys were wielding dangerous weapons including guns and had made away with essential items including cash.
