Court gavel
A Magistrate Court in Abakaliki has ordered the remand of Bishop Onyeagoziri Ndubueze in the Abakaliki Correctional Centre over serious allegations involving a 22-year-old female member of his congregation.
Presiding over the matter on Tuesday, Chief Magistrate Nike Chima declined the bail request presented by Defence Counsel, Mr. Friday Agbom. She ruled that the court lacked the legal authority to grant bail in the case due to its nature and severity.
Following her ruling, Chima directed that the case file be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further legal guidance. The case has been adjourned until November 4 for continuation of hearing.
Ndubueze, who was brought before the court by the police, is facing a four-count charge. These include issuing threats to life, disseminating false information, engaging in fraudulent conduct, and distributing explicit images of the alleged victim.
Prosecuting counsel Catherine Ajibo told the court that the alleged incidents occurred in 2021 at the Mile 50 Layout in Abakaliki. She claimed that the bishop had carnal knowledge of the young woman by allegedly obtaining her consent through intimidation, deceit, and manipulation.
Ajibo stated that the offences contravene Section 358 of the Criminal Code, Cap 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State, as well as Section 20(1) of the Ebonyi State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law 2024 (as amended).
The court proceedings continue to draw public interest due to the high-profile nature of the accused and the gravity of the charges involved.
NAN
