Two men – Odeh Chinedu and Kevin Ivoka, on Tuesday appeared before a Gudu Upper Area Court in Abuja, for allegedly inciting members of the public against the Joint Task Force (JTF).

The JTF is saddled with maintaining order in markets and other public places in Abuja.

Chinedu, 27, and Ivoka, 25, both of No. 84, UTC complex, however, pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge of criminal conspiracy, obstructing a public servant on lawful duty, inciting public disturbance and assault.

Prosecutor Urom Inah told the court that one Abubakar Aliyu of Abuja Market Management, Area 10, Garki, Abuja reported the matter at the Garki police station on Feb. 12.

Inah said that Aliyu, who led a JTF team accompanied by a policeman on enforcement duty, was obstructed from seizing the goods of the defendants.

The defendants, he further told the court, had displayed the goods in default of the law.

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He added that the duo also conspired with others and assaulted the task force personnel by hurling satchets of water and other dirts at them.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened sections 97, 148 and 114 and of the penal code law.

The Judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko granted bail to the two accused person in the sum of N50,000 each, with one reliable surety each in like sum.

Kagarko said that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and adjourned the case till May 4, for hearing.

Source: NAN