A 35-year-old man, Monday Ikeagwu, has been remanded in a correctional facility in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. The order came from a Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday after Ikeagwu was arraigned on charges of threatening to kill his mother and stealing N625,000 from her.
Magistrate Lillian Ogodo did not accept Ikeagwu’s plea, citing a lack of jurisdiction in her court for the case. She ordered the case file and all evidence to be forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. The next hearing is scheduled for March 29.
The prosecution, represented by Inspector Chinagorom Eze, alleged that Ikeagwu committed the crimes on February 7th in the Obodoma Ekka community, Ezza North Local Government Area. Eze detailed that Ikeagwu threatened his mother, Jacinta, with a gun and stole N625,000 in cash from her.
The prosecution argued that Ikeagwu’s actions violated Section 390 (9) of the Ebonyi State Criminal Code, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009 (Vol. 1, Cap 33).
Ikeagwu’s defense counsel, Solomon Eguji, requested bail for his client. However, the prosecution countered this request, arguing that Ikeagwu might flee if released.
With the case file sent to the DPP, Ikeagwu will remain in custody until the March 29th hearing, where the DPP’s legal advice will determine the next steps in the case.
