DEVELOPMENT CENTRE COORDINATOR IN EBONYI DOCKED FOR MALICIOUS DAMAGE

Police in Ebonyi State have arraigned the Coordinator of Ezeukwa Development Centre in Onicha Local Government Area of the State, Mr. Chukwuma Igwe, before a Magistrate Court sitting in Onicha on a four count charge bordering on conspiracy and malicious damage.

In a charge sheet obtained by our Correspondent Amechi Odo, the Coordinator was arraigned alongside five other suspects for allegedly demolishing a building and a perimeter fence valued at ₦15 million, belonging to a 94 year old man in Umalike Onicha, Pa Omabe Obini.

The suspects were said to have carried out the demolition of Omabe’s building on March 30, 2018 and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 451 of the Criminal Code Cap33 vol. 1 laws of Ebonyi state, 2009.

After the charge was read, they pleaded not guilty and were granted bail by the Chief Magistrate, G.U Omiko, who also adjourned the matter to May 3, 2018 for hearing.

Radio Nigeria had last week reported the alleged demolition while the victim, Pa Omabe Obini, ran a 30 minutes video clip before newsmen showing a group of men demolishing certain structures he claimed to be his.

Mean while, a group of men who claimed to be Operatives of Nigerian Police from Force Headquarters Abuja allegedly stormed Ihie Community in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State few days ago and whisked away 5 elderly men over undisclosed offences.

The development has sparked protest with members of the community calling on the State Government to secure the release of those taken away to avert crisis in the area.

The incident occurred barely a month after Governor David Umahi warned that the State Government would no longer tolerate bundling residents of the state to Abuja to investigate alleged offence committed within the State.

AMECHI ODO