A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has remanded no fewer than 21 persons in the custody of the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre, for alleged unlawful gathering, conspiracy and cultism.

The suspects were arrested on Sunday in connection to a meeting organised by members of the Atiku Support Group (ASG) in the GRA axis of the Rivers State capital.

The suspects included those who claimed to have been arrested along the Omerelu Street, where the venue of the meeting was located.

When the case was mentioned in court on Monday, Chief Magistrate Collins Ali, following the fact that the charge was said to be moved on ex-parte application, did not allow the charge to be read or plea taken but directed that the case file be transmitted to the office of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice and information.

Ali, after refusing bail applications by the defence counsels, thereafter, directed that the suspects be remanded in a Correctional facility before adjourning the case to March 22, 2023 for the consideration of the bail application.

Speaking to journalists after the court proceedings, a Port Harcourt based legal practitioner, Victor Oroko, who was present at the court, slammed the Police for the charges preferred against the defendants.

Also speaking, a relative of one of the suspects, Omunu Aleikor, said his brother identified as Abdullahi Ali, was arrested along the street while selling his product and did not attend any illegal meeting.