On Wednesday, the 23rd day of October 2024, Mr Chinonso Uba aka Nonso Nkwa was arraigned at Magistrate Court Owerri before His Worship Adikaibe, on five (5) count charges profiled by N.S. Onwochie Esq. Legal Prosecution Officer, Owerri Imo State and on behalf of the Commissioner of Police (C.O.P).
The five-count charges include; Conspiracy, Treason, and Arson among others. The prosecuting Counsel N.S Onwochei Esq., O.C. legal appeared for the 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, 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 offences 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 lacked jurisdiction to grant bail or even hear the charges.
Given the above, the Court declined jurisdiction to grant bail and remanded the Defendant at the Owerri Correctional Center. The court equally reminded the defence counsel of their right to apply for the Defendant’s bail at the high court.
Case adjourned to 12/11/2024 for D.P.P. report and transmission of the case file.
