A Bayelsa State High Court has convicted Senior Special Assistant on General Duties to Governor Duoye Diri, Mr. Prudent Oguruguru, on charges of assault.
The ruling was delivered on Tuesday by Justice I. A. Orukari in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Oguruguru was arrested on February 20, 2024, for allegedly assaulting Ubong Effiong Ubek in the Agudama-Epie area of Yenagoa Local Government.
Reports indicated that the victim became unconscious after the attack, leading to public outrage and legal action.
The governor’s aide was charged with five counts, including conspiracy, attempted murder, assault occasioning harm, serious assault, and malicious damage.
While he pleaded not guilty to all charges, the prosecution presented six witnesses and submitted seven exhibits to substantiate its claims.
In his judgment, Justice Orukari ruled that the prosecution successfully proved the case of assault beyond reasonable doubt.
However, the judge dismissed the attempted murder charges,stating that the evidence presented was insufficient to support them.
For the proven charges, Oguruguru was sentenced to, three years imprisonment with an option of a N250,000 fine for count one, three years imprisonment with an option of a N250,000 fine for count three. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Oguruguru’s counsel, Abadiofoni, in an allocutus, pleaded with the court to show leniency, emphasizing that the defendant was a first-time offender.
The prosecution counsel, D.J. Olubowale, objected to the allocutus being made by the defense counsel, arguing that it should be made by the defendant himself, in line with Supreme Court precedence.
In his plea, Oguruguru expressed remorse, stating that he was the sole provider for his young family and aged mother, and begged the court for mercy.
Justice Orukari, while delivering the sentence, acknowledged the defendant’s remorse and the fact that he was a first-time offender.
The option of a fine in lieu of imprisonment was granted based on these considerations.
