Prince Ikedi Ezekwesiri, the lawmaker representing Umunneochi State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly has been arraigned in an Umuahia Chief Magistrate Court for alleged perjury.
Ezekwesri was yesterday arraigned before the Court on a five count charge of impersonation, forgery and false information.
According to the police prosecution, Mr. Sampson Onyemuche, a Deputy Superintendent of Police,DSP, the lawmaker was alleged to have on January 31, 2011 forged the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC, Form C.F. 001 ahead of election into the State House of Assembly in 2012.
He was accused of falsely declaring himself to be a legal practitioner, an offence according to the charge was punishable under Section 192 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The Lawmaker was also alleged to have on the same date in a judicial proceeding in the High Court registry before the Commissioner for Oaths, given false testimony contrary to Section 117, an offence punishable under Section 118 of the Criminal Code Cap. C 38 laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004.
According to the prosecution, Onyemuche, the alleged false testimony was to enable him contest for the State Assembly election in 2011.
Ezekwesiri was also alleged to have fraudulently altered and mutilated the INEC Form C.F. 001 during police investigation in the matter. He was alleged to have altered the form and inserted the word “business man” against “legal practitioner” as allegedly earlier professed and presented same to the police.
According to the prosecution, the action was contrary to Section 468 of the Criminal Code and punishable under Section 465 of the Criminal Code Cap. C. 38 Laws of the Federation.
The prosecution also accused Ezekwesiri of fraudulently presenting to INEC and the police during investigation, a B.Sc in Law certificate, bearing Eze Ikedichi awarded with an honour 3rd Class degree instead of pass issued by the Abia State University, Uturu.
The law maker however pleaded not guilty when the charges where read to him.
Mr. Okey Amaechi (SAN), the accused lawyer, who appeared with over ten lawyers applied for bail for the accused lawmaker on self-recognition as a serving legislator after he had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to Amaechi, “This is a political issue and he will not jump bail which is the major reason for granting bail”.
The Prosecution Counsel, Mr. Sampson Onyemuche, who appeared with Mr. Godwin Ijioma,DSP, did not object to the bail application, but wanted the bail given with reasonable sum and surety.
His words: “However, our objection will be on granting the accused bail on self-recognition. This is a criminal trial and we expect him to be given bail with a reasonable sum and surety. This is not the type of case protected by Section 308 of the Constitution”.
The presiding Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Elizabeth Kalu, in her ruling granted the accused bail on self-recognition and adjourned to July 17, 2013 for further hearing.
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