20 Nigerian students between the ages of 22-37, have been charged to court for attacking four Malaysia policemen during a raid at their Flora Damansara condominium in July.
The Nigerian students arraigned on a four count charge including rioting, were identified as Onorwu Chimuanyi Vincent, Augustine Ekene Okora, Onyeikpe Uzoma Onyekachi, Ndubuisi Osuagwu, Uchenna Stanley Ayozie, Chibuzo Kingsley Orji, Onyiyedi George Oboduagy, Eberredu Daniel Chima, Okeke Charses, Obilor Macdennis Chinemerem, Osuji Chimobi, Chinedu Aligwe, Kabuye Christian, Nwokenna Tochukwu Nwabueze, Chibuzo Goodluck, Okeke Chinedu Darling Ton, Charlse Uche Anyanwy, Ususledrock Onyedikachi, Mathew Kelechi Cletus and Anoka.
The first 10 students were charged with disturbing public order by rioting, causing injury to four police officers and using criminal force to intimidate the police officers.
For rioting, they were charged under Section 147 of the Penal Code which carries a two-year jail term or fine, or both, while for causing hurt to the police officers on duty, they were charged under Section 332 of the Penal Code which carries a three-year jail term or fine, or both.
For using criminal force, they were charged under Section 353 of the Penal Code which carries a two-year jail term or fine, or both.
It was further learnt that all the arrested suspects were also charged under the Immigration Act, but six of them pleaded not guilty to overstaying in this country.
The charge carries a maximum of RM10,000 fine or a maximum of five years’ jail, or both. 14 of them were charged with staying in the country without any legal permit at a hotel.
While 10 pleaded not guilty to assaulting the police officers, 14 others pleaded guilty to the charge of staying illegally. They were however denied bail by the presiding judge Mohamad Ikhwan. The case was adjourned till September 5 for the submission of appeals.
On July 26, three policemen and an officer of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department at Petaling Jaya district headquarters, raided a unit at Flora Damansara during an investigation of an online scam.
They were surrounded by about 50 Africans who were aggressive and this led to riot. During the scuffle, policemen in the apartment were pulled out and two African men and three African women fled the scene.The police team retreated and called for back-up which led to the arrest.