An Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka, and presided over by Justice Jude Obiora, on Friday, granted a bail in the sum of N50million and a surety in like sum to an Nnewi-based native doctor, Ikechukwu Ezenagu, popularly known as “Muomiri Afuluanya”.
In his ruling, Justice Obiora listed other bail conditions to include deposit of title document of the defendant’s home, which would be forfeited if the defendant jumps bail.
The defendant was also barred from granting press interviews while the trial is going on.
In the ruling, Justice Obiora held that “the defendant has been granted a bail in the sum of N50million and a surety in like sum. Other bail conditions include deposit of title document of a house, which would be forfeited if the defendant jumps bail.”
One of the counsel for the defendant, Kingsley Awuka, who spoke after the court proceedings, said “the court was gracious in granting the bail, and deservedly so”.
Awuka added that the bail conditions were what the defendant can meet, and that they are confident that justice will take its course.
The Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, is leading the prosecution, while the charges against defendant include violation of provisions of the Anambra Homeland Security Law.
Ezenagu was arrested on March 26 by operatives of the Anambra State Government’s security outfit, Agunechemba, over allegations of violating the state’s Homeland Security Law.
Following his arrest, security operatives reportedly conducted a search of his residence in Nnewi as part of ongoing investigations into his activities.
Ezenagu, who was initially brought to court from the hospital on June 3, had through his counsel, Kingsley Awuka, applied for bail on health grounds and requested permission to remain in the hospital until the next adjourned date.
However, during the court on June 3, the prosecuting counsel, Tobechukwu Nweke, opposed the application and urged the court to remand the defendant pending the determination of the bail motion.
The defendant was subsequently remanded at the Amawbia Correctional Centre pending further proceedings in his trial, until he was granted bail on Friday, June 19.
PUNCH Online reported on March 26 that Ezenagu was apprehended by operatives of Agunechemba, Anambra State’s security outfit, over allegations of breaching the state’s Homeland Security Law.
Following his arrest, security operatives reportedly accompanied him to his residence in Nnewi, where a search was conducted as part of ongoing investigations into his activities.
Addressing journalists at the time, the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, alleged that the native doctor had been encouraging youths to patronise him with promises of acquiring wealth through ritual practices, including bathing in a stream located behind his residence.
Emeakayi maintained that such activities contravened provisions of the Homeland Security Law, adding that the suspect had previously been warned by authorities but allegedly failed to discontinue the practice.