By: Ifeoma Ejiofor
There was mild drama on Friday as an Ihiala High Court sitting in Nnewi over the abduction of candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the last Anambra State governorship election continued proceedings on the matter.
The hearing on case with Suit NO:HIH/15C/22 between the State V. Chukwudi Jude Odimegwu and Maxwell Chukwudi Nwokolo actually continued last Friday.
Recall that the Labour Party(LP) governorship candidate in the Anambra election Chief Obiorah Agbasimalo was allegedly kidnapped on September 18th 2021at lilu community Ihiala LGA Anambra State while returning from a political function and has not been found till date.
PW4 witness Mr Chikezie .l. Mbadugha, a farmer and a native of Umudim-Nnewi in Nnewi North LGA, mounted the witness box and gave account of what he knew about the matter.
Mbadugha testified against the 1st defendant Chukwudi Jude Odimegwu currently standing trial before an Nnewi High Court No.3 presided over by Justice C.N.Mbonu – Nwenyi as the fourth prosecution witness PW4.
Mr Mbadugha said that on September 18th 2021, High Chief Godwin Agbasimalo (Oga ndi Oga) called the representative and party Coordinators for a meeting in Ezinifte in Nnewi South LGA, after the meeting, he instructed everyone who has branded vehicle to go to a service station for petrol.
He said that on reaching the filling station, he saw the Leader and Coordinator, Nwammuo and the 1st defendant Chukwudi Jude Odimegwu who instructed that he and others should be giving #4,000 petrol.
“The first defendant said that High Chief Godwin Agbasimalo (Oga ndi Oga) had selected the people he will go with ,which never happened before, and Chukwudi Jude Odimegwu, the first defendant, never mention the name of the people that will go neither,” he recalled.
After testifying before the court, Mr Mbadugha was not cross – examined by the defence counsel.
Barr. Ikenna Obidiegwu, the counsel to the 1st defendant Chukwudi Jude Odimegwu said that diligence is required in the matter, noting that developments during the hearing so far is suggestive of a game plan to keep the defendants in perpetually detention.
His position however did not go down well with the prosecution counsel who countered him immediately and stated that he still have credible witnesses who will still give their testimony over the matter as the hearing continue.
The counsel to the second defendant Maxwell Chukwudi Nwokolo, pleaded that his client should granted bail, Justice C.N. Mbonu-Nwenyi however told him to go to Ihiala court which is the right place to file the motion.
It was front and back banters from the reputable legal practitioners as the matter was adjourned to 26th day of April 2024.
