Four docked over purported suspension of PDP vice chairman

The Ebonyi State government on Wednesday arraigned a former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Mr. Augustine Nwazunku, at the Abakiliki Magistrate’s Court on criminal charges.

The other three persons were Obinna Nwachukwu, Njoku Nwagwu and Ogbonnaya Idika.

They were arraigned after they purportedly suspended the PDPP National Vice Chairman, South-East, Mr. Ali Odefa, from the party.

The defendants were arraigned on a five-count charge of conspiracy, cultism, forgery, impersonation and carrying of offensive weapons.

Odefa was reportedly suspended by the PDP executive in his Ogudu-Okwor Ward, Oshiri Community of Onicha Local Government Area of the state for alleged anti-party activities on October 3.

READ ALSO: PDP demands arrest, prosecution of suspended Adamawa REC

The Senior State Counsel in the Ministry of Justice, David Njoku, told the court that the defendants committed the offences in on October 2.

Njoku said the defendants forged a letter purported to have emanated from the ward party executive and claimed that the party had suspended Odefa.

He added that the offences contravened Section 516 A (a) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ebonyi State.

“They also committed offences contrary to Section 3 (1) (3) of the Ebonyi State Law Prohibiting Secret Cult Activities and Carrying of Offensive Weapons and punishable under Section 5 of the same Law,” the state counsel added.

The Chief Magistrate, Ojemba Isu-Oko, refused the bail application filed by the counsel for the defendants, U. A. Obasi.

He said the court lacked the jurisdiction to handle the case and ordered that the defendants be remanded in the correctional centre till November 18.

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