Former House of Rep member arraigned for alleged stealing

A Former House of Representative Member, Nze Chidi Duru was on Monday docked before a Magistrate Court in Lagos Highland for alleged stealing.

Duru was docked alongside a senior lawyer, Smart Iheazor on charges which include  conspiracy, stealing, breach of peace and impersonation.

The Police alleged

that the duo who resides in Abuja, conspired to commit the alleged offences on January 11, 2017.

Police prosecutor P. O Idenyenmia told the court that the defendants and others who are still at large stole three office files and one HP Laptop valued at N250,000, property of First Guarantee Pension Ltd (FGPL).

The defendants are both senior lawyers of 28 and 30 years in the Bar, the court heard.

They were alleged to have committed the offences at 65 Kudirat Abiola Way Oregun Ikeja Lagos.

Idenyenmia alleged that the duo also conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by wilfully and unlawfully invading First Guarantee Pension Ltd office with intent to forcefully take over the management and assets of the company.

The prosecutor also told the court that the defendants with intent to defraud, introduced themselves as Vice Chairman and Secretary of First Guarantee Pension Ltd and acted same in an attempt to take over the management and assets of the company.

The offences committed were said to be punishable under sections 409, 285, 166 (D) and 378 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

But the duo however pleaded not guilty to the charge against them.

After the arraignment, the defence counsel, Emeka Etiaba(SAN),urged the court ‎to grant the defendants bail on self recognisance stating that the offence they committed is a bailable offence.

According to him, the defendants have been in the police custody for four days, which has infringed on their constitutional rights.

But the prosecutor objected to the bail on self recognition.

After listening to the arguments of both parties, Magistrate A. A. Adefulire granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each with one surety each in like sum.

The matter was adjourned till March 9 and 10, for hearing. 

Earlier before the arraignment of  the former lawmaker, his counsel, Etiaba(SAN), told the court‎ that his client was on the verge of collapsing inside the court room.

"He was just discharged from the hospital this morning and was wisked to the court,"Etiaba said.

But the prosecutor told the court that the doctor at the police hospital were Duru was treated certified him okay.

However Magistrate Adefulire ordered  that the defendants ‎should be docked before him.