A Bayelsa State High Court has convicted Prudent Oguruguru, the senior special assistant on general duties to Governor Douye Diri, on a two-count charge of assault.
Oguruguru was arrested for assaulting Ubong Ubek on February 20, 2024, at Agudama-Epie, leaving the victim unconscious.
Following his arrest, Oguruguru was arraigned before Justice I. A. Orukari on a five-count charge, including conspiracy, attempted murder, assault occasioning harm, serious assault, and malicious damage.
During the trial, the accused pleaded not guilty to all charges. However, the prosecution presented six witnesses and seven exhibits to support its case, ultimately leading to his conviction.
Justice Orukari in his ruling noted that the sole issue of determination was “whether by the totality of evidence adduced the prosecution proved the elements of the offences charged beyond reasonable doubt to warrant the conviction of the defendant.”
The trial judge held that the prosecution failed to prove offences in counts 2, 4, and 5 bordering on attempted murder, beyond reasonable doubt.
He however ruled that the evidence provided by the prosecution in offences in counts 1 and 3—conspiracy to commit assault and assault occasioning harm—was satisfactory and proved beyond reasonable doubt.
Justice Orukari therefore discharged and acquitted Oguruguru of counts 2, 3, and 5, however, but found him guilty of counts 1 and 3.
Justice Orukari consequently sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment with an option of a fine of N250,000 for count 1 and also three years’ imprisonment with an option of a fine of N250,000 for count 3.
He ruled that both sentences would run concurrently.
