By ERIC IKHILAE, Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arraigned an Abuja housewife, Mrs. Chinyere Amuchienwa Igwegbe, accused of exposing her genitals and providing the police with false information against an ex-imo Governor Ikedi Ohakim and Chinedu Okpareke.

Mrs. Igwegbe was arraigned on Thursday on a four-count charge before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama, Abuja.

The charge is marked: CR/187/2021.

Some of the counts read: “That you Chinyere Amuchienwa Igwegbe ‘F’ of 7B Emelda Estate, Apo, Abuja, FCT between late 2017 and mid 2018 intentionally exposed your genital organs and intentionally caused distress to other parties and that you did so with a selfie video with the intention of deriving sexual pleasure from such act and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 26(3) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015.

“That you Chinyere Amuchienwa Igwegbe ‘F’ of 7B Emelda Estate Apo, Abuja, FCT on or about the 14th August 2020 did furnish police authorities with false information and via allegations in a petition by your solicitors, Agala & Agala Chambers to a public servant against Dr Ikedi Ohakim and Chinedu Okpareke on allegations of criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation, defamation of character, attempted kidnapping and threat to life, punishable with imprisonment, which could not be substantiated and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code Laws of Northern Nigeria.

“That you Chinyere Amuchienwa Igwegbe ‘F’ of 7B Emelda Estate Apo, Abuja, FCT sometime in 2020 did furnish police authorities with false information and via allegations in a petition by your solicitors, Agala & Agala Chambers to a public servant against Dr Ikedi Ohakim on the false allegations that you paid Dr Ikedi Ohakim the sum of N500 million only for the purchase of a land in Lagos during the 2019 election, punishable with imprisonment, which could not be substantiated and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code Laws of Northern Nigeria.”

She pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to her by an official of the court, following which lawyer to the defendant, Ifeanyichukwu Nweze moved a bail application on her behalf.

Nweze told the court that a similar case, with the same parties was pending before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

He added that the case before the Federal High Court, which is to be taken over by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has ben adjourned till September for ruling.

Nweze said his client was arrested in court on July 8, 2021 while she had gone to observe proceedings as the nominal complaint.

Lawyer to the prosecution, Mrs. Rotshang Dimka, did not object to bail for the defendant, but insisted it must be with stringent conditions, because the defendant had failed in the past to honour police’s invitation.

Ruling, Justice Yusuf Halisu noted that the offences, for which the defendant was arraigned, are bailable and proceeded to grant her conditional bail.

Justice Halilu ordered the defendant to provide two sureties, who must be resident in Abuja, adding that they must have a regular income and shall continue to produce the defendant in court for her trial until the case ends.

The judge also ordered Mrs.Igwegbe to deposit her international passports with the court and could only travel out of the country with the permission of the court.

He adjourned till October 28, 2021 for the commencement of trial. (The Nation)

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