CAN Chairman Arraigned For Property Damage

Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, Rev. Jude Okenwa, has been arraigned before an Owerri Chief Magistrates’ Court presided over by Stella Kadurumba.

Okenwa, who is facing six counts brought against him by the state Commissioner of Police, Isaac Akinmoyede, was alleged to have on July 8, 2020, willfully and unlawfully damaged a pot of Egusi soup, two coolers of cooked rice, a big cooler of cooked beans, a bag of wrapped fufu, one big cooler of meat, a cooler of vegetable soup, a cooler of oha soup, 20 crates of soft drinks, 30 bags of sachet water, a basket of breakable plates and spoons, and 15 wash hand basins, all valued at N2,500,000, the property of one of the occupants of a shop, by name Blessing Onyeka.

The offences were said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 451 of the Criminal Code, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as applicable in Imo state.

The accused was also alleged to have on the same day and time along the Onitsha-Owerri Road, in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace, forcibly entered into a land known as and called Ala Nwangwu and containing about eight shops in the possession of one Chief Damian Opara, contrary to Section 81 of the Criminal Code, Cap C38, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He was also alleged to have destroyed 98 motor spare parts, 56 motor tubes and 17 motor tyres valued at N1,300,000, property of one Onochie Obehe.

Okenwa was also alleged to have unlawfully destroyed nine panel gates, seven panel doors, 18 protectors and 10 generators, all valued at N3,500,000 and belonging to one Mr Ekene Onyewueze.

The counsel for the accused, Olatunde Akinola, pleaded with the court to examine the severity of the offence, which he said was a misdemeanour, and admit his client to bail on generous terms.

However, the counsel for the CP, Paschal Nzeh, told the court that the defendant had consistently neglected and failed to honour police invitations.

Kadurumba adjourned the case till November 11, 2020, for further hearing.