A Federal High Court in Benin City has denied bail to the leader of the Benin Solidarity Movement, Mr Curtis Ugboh.

Mr Ugboh was arrested over alleged inciting comments made during a protest at the Benin office of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company.

The court, however, gave the state’s counsel one week to formally arraign the suspect.

Counsel to Mr Ugboh, however, said they would appeal the ruling, saying, “It’s a sad day for activists in Edo State.”

He also questioned the allegations against his client and wondered how a “mere protest” could lead to an invasion.

“Well, the judge has ruled that he will not grant bail. On our own part, we are discussing; we may appeal against that ruling because we are of the opinion that the trial judge is wrong, so we are going to appeal against that judgment,” the defence counsel said.

“Another good news is that the trial judge has given them a week to properly arraign him in court where we can ventilate our argument and defence.”