Pipeline Vandalism: Suspects Ask Court To Grant Them Bail

Suspects charged to court over the alleged vandalism of the Arepo pipeline and the murder of three NNPC officials have asked the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to grant them bail.
Trials commenced on Friday, 25^th January at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The 6 accused persons on the 5th of September, 2012 at about 6:00 p.m., at Arepo,  allegedly conspired to vandalise an Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), oil pipeline located in the vicinity and in the process murdered three employees of the NNPC.
They were subsequently arraigned on the 29th of November, 2012, where they all pleaded not guilty to a seven count charge preferred against them by the police.
Four of six suspects charged with the offence have asked Justice Mohammed Idris to grant them bail pending the determination of their case.
The suspects are facing a seven count charge which also includes the murder of three engineers of the NNPC.
Defence counsel argued that Some of the accused persons are in poor health and would need to seek treatment.
Prosecuting counsel has however told the court that even the first son of one of the accused was killed in the recent Arepo pipeline explosion.
He argues that the offences carry capital punishments and urged the court to refuse to grant bail and instead use the case to send out a message that offences of this nature should not be treated lightly.
After listening to the arguments of both lawyers, justice Idris has adjourned ruling till the 11th of Feb.