Video: Court Grants N5m Bail to 19-year-old Suspect, Commences trial

The Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa grants a N5 million bail to Miss Charlotte Delhi, 19, who was charged to court by the Department of State Services (DSS) over the alleged involvement of blackmail of a former permanent secretary of the Bayelsa state ministry of education, Dr. Walton Liverpool.

Leadership newspaper reports that the DSS in suit number FHC/YNG/33C/2021, filed a one-count charge against the defendant for crimes related to blackmail and cyberstalking.

During the proceedings yesterday, two motions on bail and commencement of trial were heard with both counsels, principal legal officer of the DSS, Victor Uchendu Esq and a former Attorney-General of the state and counsel to the defendant, A.S. Arthur Esq agreeing to the bail of the accused.

Justice Isa Dashen, the sitting judge, upon hearing the positions of the two counsel granted the bail at N5million and a surety with landed property in the jurisdiction of the state.

After the bail ruling, the trail of the accused commenced properly with the alleged victim, Dr. Walton Liverpool testifying as the first witness.

Liverpool, whose nude picture was allegedly posted on social media by the accused, said he met the accused through Facebook on the 23rd of August, 2021 and had a consensual encounter at Golden Gate Hotel, Yenagoa.

He said the nude video allegedly released by the accused has caused him psychological and physical pains.

He hinted that he almost committed suicide and fainted after his immediate and extended family viewed the said video on the internet.

According to Liverpool, “On the 8th of September, 2021 after I was hosted to a reception after the day I got my academic PhD from the Imo State University, Owerri.

“After the ceremony, I retired to my room to sleep. At about midnight, I received a Whatsapp message on my phone announcing a package for me.

“I inquired who the sender of the message was and asked the nature of the package. I was told that they have made a video of me.

“When I asked for the identity of the sender, they told me not to worry and that I should cooperate with them and the matter will be over. ”

He told the court that he was asked to pay the sum of N15million or else the nude video will be posted on social media.

“I Pleaded that I will pay the sum of N1million and pleaded that I needed to sell a property to raise a million naira. They sent me another message that I should pay the sum of N5 million. They threatened not to accept anything less.

“After six days, on the 14th of September, 2021, I was alerted that my nude video have been posted on Facebook.

“They tagged members of the State House of Assembly, present and former State Commissioners, Local Government Chairmen and former Chief of Staff to Governor, Rt. Hon. Talford Ongolo. ”

However, both counsels during the tendering of evidence argued on the admittance of the list of WhatsApp conversations between Liverpool and the accused.

According Mangrovepen, ‘the presiding judge adjourned till November 9th, 2021 to rule on the issue of the exhibit to be admitted by the court.