The police yesterday arraigned three Garki Modern Market traders before an Abuja Magistrate Court on a four-count change of rioting, possessing deadly weapons, assaulting public servants and causing hurt.

Elijah Orji, Kenneth Ezeh and Nduka were accused of collaborating with 14 other traders (now in prison custody) to commit the offences between August 26 and September 1.

Police prosecutor, Abu Okpanachi, told the court that on September 2, one Ibrahim Yahaya of Abuja Market Management Limited, Abuja, reported to the police that the accused persons went on rampage with dangerous weapon.

"The accused persons rioted with cutlasses, iron rods, explosives and in the process assaulted members of the market's task force as well as policemen," the prosecutor said.

He said after the assault, injured members of the task force and policemen were taken to Garki General Hospital, where they are presently receiving treatment.

According to him, some shops and police vehicles were smashed by the irate traders, who committed offences punishable under Sections 79, 167, 267 and 237 of the Penal Code.

When the charges were read to the accused persons, they denied them and their team of lawyers led by Barrister C.I. Okoye, made an oral application for their bail, pledging that they would not jump bail or interfere with prosecution.

Chief Magistrate Hafsat Soso granted each of the accused persons bail in the sum of N300,000 with a reliable surety, who must be a chairman of traders in the said market and swear to an affidavit to produce the accused persons in court on the adjourned date.

The case was adjourned to October 6 for hearing.

The chief magistrate also issued an order restraining the police from arresting the accused traders pending the determination of the case before it.

Chief Magistrate Hafsat Soso ruled that the police and Abuja Management Limited (complainant in the suite) enter into a bond pledging to maintain status- quo.

She warned that anybody who violates the ruling of the court will be sentenced to four weeks imprisonment without fine option.