School Proprietress Arraigned For Theft

The Proprietress of Crystal Secondary School, Olympic Layout via One-Day Road, Garki -Awkunanaw Enugu, Mrs. Ngozi Mokwuah has been arraigned before an Enugu South Magistrate’s court on a one count charge of stealing the sum of N707, 500 property of Prince Paul Anya.

The one count charge read, “that you Ngozi Mokwuah on or about the 3rd day of January 2010 at N0. 5 USSCO street, Amechi, Awkunanaw in Enugu South local government area did steal the sum of N707, 500 property of Prince Paul Anya and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 353 [v] of the criminal code cap 30 vol. 2 laws of Enugu state of Nigeria 2004.”

After reading the charge to her before the presiding Magistrate V. Aneke, Mrs. Mokwuah, pleaded not guilty.

Counsel for the accused Edmund E. Mokwuah, said to be the husband of the defendant, applied for her bail, arguing that it was a bailable offence.

According to him, it was a contract matter and wondered why the police are criminalising it. The police prosecutor, Inspector Innocent Egbuaba, did not oppose the bail application.

The presiding magistrate, V. Aneke, after listening to both counsel, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N250,000 and a surety who must be residing within the jurisdiction of the court, submit his particulars and not be a questionable person.

The matter was adjourned till today, Friday 6 May, 2011 for hearing.

Meanwhile, a drama ensued when counsel to the defendant Mokwuah learnt that a journalist was asking for the charge sheet of the case outside the court room.

He got angry and asked our correspondent: “who brought you here? If you dare publish this matter, I will deal with you in this Enugu.”

Following the threat, our correspondent immediately protested to the magistrate who was about driving out of the premises.

She stopped and calmed frayed nerves and urged all the parties not to take laws into their hands.

—Jude Orji/Enugu