The Imo State Police Command on Wednesday arraigned a popular radio presenter and activist, Mazi Chinonso Uba also known as Nonsonkwa to magistrate court Owerri on a five-count charges.
Uba was last week whisked away in a gustapo-style by some stain-looking persons who later were identified as police operatives.
The police legal prosecution officer, N.S. Onwochie, Esq arraigned the suspect before His Worship Adikaibe of the Magistrate Court, Owerri, on five (5) count charges on behalf of the Commissioner of Police (C.O.P).
The Five (5) count charges include; Conspiracy, Treason, Arson among others. The prosecuting Counsel Onwochie Esq., appeared for Commissioner of Police/State, while C.K Mgbekonye Esq., E.T. Okolie Esq., F. N. Obisike Esq., O. F. Olegeme, Esq. and E.N. Nwaibari, Esq. appeared for the Defendant.
When the charge was read to the Defendant, he was not allowed to take plea on the ground that the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the charges.
The leading counsel C.K. Mgbekonye, Esq. applied for his bail wherein he urged the court to admit the Defendant to bail, he relied on Section 36 sub 5 of the 1999 constitution as amended, he equally urged the court to admit the Defendant to bail as the offenses are one that the court can exercise discretion to grant bail pending trial.
In opposition thereto, the Prosecution, N.S. Onwochei Esq. vehemently opposed the bail application citing section 93 (1) of the Imo State administration of Criminal Justice Law which gave only the High Court power to grant bail upon application.
Going further, he urged the court to refuse bail on the ground that the court lack jurisdiction to grant bail or even hear the charges.
In view of the above, the Court declined jurisdiction to grant bail and remanded the Defendant at the Owerri Correctional Center. The court equally reminded the defense counsel of their right to apply for the Defendant’s bail at the high court.
The case was adjourned to 12/11/2024 for D.P.P. report and transmission of the case file.
0 Comments