By Ikechukwu  Nnochiri
ABUJA—Following the free-for-all in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, the lawmaker representing Ehime/Mbano Federal Constituency, Mr. Austin Nwachukwu, was yesterday arraigned before an Abuja Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly inflicting grievous bodily harm on one of his colleagues, Mr. Chinyere Igwe.

The victim, according to sources, is at present receiving treatment in an undisclosed Abuja  hospital.  Nwachukwu was, however, granted bail by the court after pleading not guilty to  the three-count charge, read to him by the court.

He was allowed to go home despite an application by the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Joseph Onwu, who pleaded with Magistrate Oyebola Oyewumi  to remand the accused person in police custody, pending the conclusion of investigations into the matter.

The police prosecutor opposed an oral bail application by counsel to the accused, Mr. Aroh Chidi, who urged the court to allow his client bail on self-recognition, adding that he would be available to face his prosecution.

However, the magistrate, after considering the submissions of both parties, ordered Nwachukwu to pay N5 million as well as produce two sureties to enter into bond with the court.

The court specifically ordered that one of the sureties must be a level 16 officer in the federal civil service, while the other surety must have a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

The sureties were equally requested to submit their passport photographs as well as swear to an affidavit of means before the court.

At press time, the embattled lawmaker was yet to perfect the bail conditions.
In the First Information Report presented in court  by the police, Nwachukwu was accused of criminal conspiracy, criminal use of force, assault and causing grievous hurt to another contrary to sections 97, 248(2) and 365 of the Penal Code.
Further hearing was fixed for July 29.