AISHA ABUBAKAR
A 61-year old lecturer, Dr Chinyere Agatuekwe, did the unthinkable after she allegedly hired suspected thugs to destroy and throw out tenant’s property from an apartment while the rent is still on in FCT, Abuja.
She has been arrested and charged before Magistrate Court in Gwagwalada, FCT, for allegedly hiring suspected thugs and illegally throwing out the tenant’s property from the apartment.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the lecturer, Dr Agatuekwe, who lives in Aco Estate, Abuja, was charged for criminal conspiracy, intimidation and assault.
The Prosecution Counsel, Abdullahi Tanko, told the Court that the matter was reported at the Area Command office by one Agba Nwabueze, of Lugbe, Abuja, on 26th March, 2024.
Tanko said that on 23rd December, 2023, the defendant sent some group of young men to the complainant’s apartment to throw him and his belongings out of the house.
He said that the men, acting under the instruction of the defendant, forcefully entered the complainant’s apartment and moved his property, with value yet unknown, outside while his rent was still on.
Tanko said that they also destroyed and stole some of the complainant’s property.
He further stated that during the Police investigation, the defendant admitted to instructing the boys, now at large, to carry out the act.
According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 96, 396 and 326 of the Penal Code.
The defendant however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Defence Counsel, Rakiyat Abba, in an oral bail application, prayed the Court to admit her client to bail in the most liberal terms.
Abba cited Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Sections 158, 162 and 163 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) to back her plea.
The Magistrate, Olatunji Oladunmoye, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N1m with one surety in like sum, who must reside within the jurisdiction of the Court and provide means of identification.
The matter was adjourned till 5th July, 2024, for hearing while the defendant was remanded in custody pending when she will perfect the bail conditions.