A Grade 1 Area Court siting in Abuja on Thursday admitted a 25-year old woman, Ngozi Ugwu, to bail in the sum of N50,000 for allegedly setting her ex-boyfriend’s shop ablaze.
The presiding officer, Mr Ado Ahmed, in his ruling also ordered the defendant to produce one surety in like sum.
Ahmed said that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and adjourned hearing of the case till May 12.
Ugwu, a resident of 16-16, Bwari, is facing a two-count charge of criminal intimidation and mischief by fire with intent to cause damage to property.
She pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Mrs Agnes Aluko-Adewumi, a senior state counsel, had told the court that the complainant, Ugwoke Nwabueze, reported the case in Bwari Police Station on Feb.7.
Aluko-Adewumi said that the defendant, the complainant’s ex-girlfriend, had on Feb.6 threatened to kill him and burn his patent medicine store after a disagreement ensued between the two.
“The next day, Feb.7, at about 3 p.m., the defendant went to the shop which is located at Friendship Street along SCC Road in Bwari.
“She, then, allegedly set the store on fire with the intent to cause damage to his property, as a result, James Ayogu, sustained injuries.
“Also, part of the shop, 56 cartons of can malt drinks, 16 bags of sachet water as well as recharge cards, all items valued N200,000 were destroyed,’’ the prosecutor said.
She said the offences contravened Sections 396 and 336 of the Penal Code.
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