The Nigeria Police have arraigned one Chinyere Igwegbe for furnishing them with false information against the former governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, and Chinedu Okpareke.
Chinyere who has been in custody was arraigned on a four-count charge of criminal activity but pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In a bail application moved by her counsel, Ifeanyichukwu Nweze told the court that the same matter with the same substances and parties is pending before a Federal High Court in Abuja, and on July 8, the Attorney General of the Federation took over the case.
While awaiting a ruling in September, the defendant, a nominal complainant, was also arrested by the police and has been in custody since then.
The prosecution counsel, Rotashang 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.
Ruling on the bail application, the trial Judge, Justice Yusuf Halisu, granted the bail at no cost, but two sureties, who must be residents in Abuja and must have a regular income.
The defendant was also ordered to deposit her international passport with the court, and can only have access to it on request. The trial was adjourned till October 28, 2021.
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In the four-count charge filed before a Federal Capital Territory High Court Abuja, it was alleged that in August 2020, within the jurisdiction of the court, Chinyere did furnish police authorities with false information, in a petition by her lawyer, against Ikedi Ohakim and Chinedu Okpareke.
The police also in the charge before it, said she alleged criminal conspiracy, intimidation, defamation of character, attempted kidnap and threat to life, punishable with imprisonment, for failing to substantiate the allegations, and thereby committed an offense, punishable under Section 140, of the Penal Code Laws of Northern Nigeria.
She was also accused of intentionally exposing her genital organs, in a selfie video,
with the intention of deriving sexual pleasure from such act, and caused distress to other parties, an offence punishable under Section 26(3) of the violence against persons (Prohibition) Act 2015.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
