BY AGNES NWORIE, ABAKALIKI
Four men have been dragged before a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital for allegedly stealing nine cows belonging to some farmers.
The accused persons, namely Nwakpa Melody, aged 25; Nworie Ekene, 31; Nwakpa Chidiebere, 22; and Nweke Agbom, 30; were docked by the police for allegedly taking unlawful possession of the cows belonging to Solomon Agbom, Peter Nwankwo and Ogbulaji Nwode.
The offence was said to have been committed between August and November 8, 2022 at Oriuzor community in Ezza North Local Government Area of the state.
The charge against them read, “You Nwankpa Melody, Nworie Ekene, Nwakpa Chidiebere and Nweke Agbom, and others now at large, between August 2022 and 8th November 2022 at Oriuzor community in Ezza North Local Government Area of the state, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: stealing.
“You did steal four native cows valued at N1,070,000 (One million and seventy thousand naira), property of one Solomon Agbom and thereby committed offence punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 33, Volume 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
“You and others now at large, on the same date and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did steal one native cow valued at N350, 000 (Three hundred and fifty thousand naira) property of one Peter Nwankwo and thereby committed offence punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 33, Volume 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
“You (defendants) and others now at large on the same date and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did steal four native cows valued at N1m (One million and seventy thousand naira( only, property of one Ogbulaji Nwode and thereby committed offence punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 33, Volume 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.”
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the allegations. Their counsels, Lilian Abudullahi and Nworie ThankGod, applied for their bail, assuring the court that they would present reliable sureties who would ensure that they do not jump bail.
Magistrate Happiness Chima granted the defendants bail and adjourned the matter till December 20 for hearing.
