Ex-lawmaker, 8 others arraigned over alleged theft

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

AWKA- A FORMER member of Anambra State House of Assembly and a lawyer (names withheld), and seven other persons, were Wednesday arraigned at the Chief Magistrate Court, Nteje, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, over alleged false entry and stealing.

The matter was between the caretaker committee members of Nteje Development Union, NTU, set up by the state government, and former executive of the same union, led by Chief Uwadiegwu Obi, whose tenure was allegedly dissolved by the state government before the expiration of its tenure.

According to the four-count charge, the newly installed members of the caretaker committee allegedly broke into the office of NTU and carted away some items belonging to the union.

Some of the items allegedly stolen from the office included an executive chair valued at about N60,000 and other property of the union.

The police prosecutor, Mr. Joseph Obi, an Inspector, said the incident took place September 24, 2011, at the union’s office at Ekeigwe market, Nteje.

When the charges were read, the nine accused persons pleaded not guilty but the presiding chief magistrate, Mrs. Ofilia Ike, granted bail to the former caretaker committee chairman and the lawyer on self-recognition, while the traditional ruler of Nteje, Igwe Rowland Odegbo signed the surety for the rest for N1 million.

Other bail conditions were that the passport photographs of the accused persons should be made available to the court and surety, while the chief magistrate warned the parties to the matter against any violence in the community and adjourned the case to October 31, 2011, for hearing.