A Woman, Chinyere Amuchienwa Igwegbe, was Thursday arraigned by the Nigeria Police Force for furnishing the Police authorities with false information against former governor of Imo State, Dr Ikedi Ohakim, and one, Chinedu Okpareke.
In a four-count charge filed before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, the Defendants was charged with allegations bordering on criminal conspiracy, intimidation, defamation of character, attempted kidnapping and threat to life.
The offence is punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code Laws of Northern Nigeria.
Count one of the four count charges reads, “That you Chinyere Amuchienwa Igwegbe ‘F’ of 7B Emelda Estate Apo, Abuja, FCT on or about the 14th August 2020 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did furnish police authorities with false information and via allegations in a petition by your solicitors, Agala & Agala Chambers to a public servant against Dr Ikedi Ohakim and Chinedu Okpareke on allegations of criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation, defamation of character, attempted kidnapping and threat to life, punishable with imprisonment, which could not be substantiated and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code Laws of Northern Nigeria.”
However, the defendant has pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge when they were read out to her in the court.
Meanwhile, her counsel, Ifeanyichukwu Nweze, has moved a bail application on her behalf.
While moving the bail application filed and served on July 12, 2021, along with an affidavit in support and other documents annexed, Nweze cited that the same matter with the same substances and parties is before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to the counsel, the matter which is at the Federal High Court has been taken over by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and awaiting a ruling in September.
She therefore frowned at the arrest made by the police of the defendant on the same day, July 8, 2021, that the court sat on the matter, in which she was the nominal complainant.
He told the court that the police have no right to take over a matter that has already been taken over by the office of the AGF.
In her argument, the prosecution counsel, R. F Dimka did not oppose the bail application, saying that granting of bail is at the discretion of the court.
She however prayed the court to attach stringent conditions in granting the defendant’s bail to ensure her presence in court to face her trial.
In his ruling, the trial Judge, Justice Yusuf Halisu described the offences for which the defendant was arraigned as bailable, asking the defendant provides two sureties, who must be residents of Abuja.
The two sureties according to his ruling, must have a regular income and shall continue to produce the defendant in court for her trial until is dispensed off.
The Judge held further that she should deposit her international passport with the court and can only travel out of the country with the permission of the court.
He then adjourned till October 28, 2021 for trial.
