A Senior Special Assistant on General Duties to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Prudent Oguruguru, has been convicted by a Bayelsa State High Court for assault. The incident occurred in Agudama-Epie in the Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, where the victim, Ubong Effiong Ubek, was allegedly assaulted by Oguruguru and rendered unconscious.
Oguruguru faced charges of conspiracy, assault occasioning harm, serious assault, and malicious damage, among others. Despite pleading not guilty to all charges, the prosecution presented evidence from six witnesses and seven exhibits in court.
After a thorough trial, Justice Orukari found Oguruguru guilty of assault but dismissed the charges of attempted murder due to lack of proof. The defense counsel requested leniency for the defendant, emphasizing that he was a first-time offender and the sole provider for his family and elderly mother.
In his verdict, Justice Orukari sentenced Oguruguru to three years in prison with the option of a N250,000 fine for one count and an additional three years with a similar fine for another count, to be served concurrently. The judge noted the defendant’s expression of remorse and his clean record as mitigating factors in the sentencing.