Bus Conductor remanded in Prison’s custody over alleged rape

A 27-year old bus conductor, Ndidi Chuks was yesterday remanded in prison’s custody by an Asaba Magistrate Court for allegedly raping a teenage girl.

In a three count charge of felony, rape and having carnal knowledge of the 13-year old girl (name withheld), the presiding magistrate, Mrs. Faith .O. Kalu refused to take plea of the accused person, rather remanded him in Ogwashi-Uku Prisons, and adjourned the case till later date of October 2017 for hearing.

But the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Ndidi Ahamefelu had told the court that the accused person sometime in August 2017, forcefully had a carnal knowledge of the victim without her consent which contradicts section 358 of the criminal code of Delta State.

The Prosecutor alleged that the suspect also stabbed one Ms Agenes Sylvester and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 355 of the criminal code of Delta State while the trial Magistrate, Mrs. Kalu ordered that the case file be duplicated and handed over to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

Meanwhile, two men, Ogbonna Christopher 54, and Ugwoke clement residents of Asaba were also arraigned before the court (Asaba Magistrate Court) on a three count charge of felony, stealing and conspiracy.

The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Victor Barch told the court that the two men were suspected to have stolen about seven cartons of a drug consignment valued about N403, 000 belonging to Preferred Drug Nigeria Limited thereby contravening sector 427 of the criminal code law of Delta State.

One of the accused persons, Ugwuoke Clement was charged with willful receiving stolen consignment of tablets worth N67, 000 from Ogbonna Clement the first accused person, thereby committed an offence punishable under section 427 of the criminal code.

The accused persons however pleaded not guilty to the charges, and were granted bail in the sum of N500, 000 and a surety in like sum who must be resident within the court jurisdiction by the magistrate, Mrs. Faith Kalu.

In another development, two middle aged men, Chemerie Okoli 29 and Uwabuike Paul Emeka 42, have been charged for alleged stealing.

The accused persons were said to have committed the alleged offence on the 19th of August 2017 at the palm table water located at No 145, Ezenel Avenue Asaba.

They were alleged to have broke into a building, and stole a 911 Mercedes Benz Truck bea ring Reg. No. ASB 672H, and valued at N3million and 330 bags of sachet water valued N27, 000 as the alleged stolen property belongs to one Chief Paul Okeke, the Managing Director of Palm Table Water.

After the charges were read to the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty and the presiding Chief Magistrate, Mr. Felix Dike granted them bail in the sum of N2million each, and a surety in like sum, and adjourned the case till later date of October 2017, for hearing.

Also, four under aged boys have been arraigned before an Asaba Chief Magistrate Court for stealing. They were alleged to have conspired to commit felony, and stole copper wires valued N300, 000 belonging to Garden of Light, Ochonogor Estate, Havila Road, off ABS road Asaba and thereby, committed an offence punishable under section 390(9) of the criminal code cap c21 vol. 1 laws of the Delta State Nigeria.

The accused persons however pleaded not guilty, and were granted bail by Semor Magistrate, Mrs. Otonvwen Akpak in the sum of N50, 000 plus a surety each, and the case was adjourned till October 18, 2017 for hearing.

Meanwhile, a 18 year old David Orezi Ojakovo has been arraigned before an Asaba Chief Magistrate Court for unlawful possession of firearm.

According to the prosecution, David and others now at large are currently facing a two count charges of conspiring among themselves to commit the offence punishable under section 576A of the criminal code cap c21 vol. 1 laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.

The prosecution said that David on the same date, place and time did unlawfully has in his possession or under his control cut to-size gun, and three live cartridges which he failed to give a reasonable account of knowing it to be an offence punishable under section 3(1) of the robbery and firearms (special provisions) act cap R II Vol. 14 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2006.

There was no plea or bail condition granted, and the presiding Chief Magistrate, Mr. Felix Dike adjourned the case till October 16th, 2017 for mention.

Nosa Akenzua, Asaba