Right activist, Israel Joe charged to Court for cyberstalking, conspiracy in Delta

The Convener of the #Endhardship# protest in Warri, Delta State, Comrade Israel Joe was yesterday charged to the Federal High Court sitting in Warri for alleged "cyberstalking" and "conspiracy". 

The case is between the Inspector-General of Police, IGP versus Israel Joe. 

The human right activist would have been remanded in prison custody if he had been in court. 

Our Correspondent reports that it was a narrow escape for him as his Counsel, one Barrister Tega pleaded that she will ensure the human right activist appear to take his plea in the next sitting. He said they were served the suit yesterday and she had to rush and appear in court on his behalf. That was what saved the situation.

Police Counsel,one Irabor at the court prayed the court to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of Comrade Israel Joe. 

The Presiding Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice I.M. Sani refused the prayers of the police to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of Comrade Israel Joe. 

He said since the counsel to Comrade Joe had undertaken to make the defendant appear in Court, why will he issue a bench warrant? 

It would be recalled that Comrade Israel Joe, convener of the #Endhardship# protest in Warri and environ was arrested for the venue of the protest early this year. 

Attempts to arraign him on "terrorism" for which he was arrested for, during the protest failed. 

It would also be recalled that the Comrade Joe recovered more than ₦89million from the Inspector-General of Police,IGP early this year.

It further gathered that it was for this reason trump up charges and malicious prosecution were allegedly preferred against him.  

Comrade Joe had restrained the Delta State Government in a separate suit brought against him by some other human right activist before he was dragged to the Federal High Court in Warri.

It is not clear if the Inspector-General of Police is aware of the development in Court at the time of this report.