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The police in Lagos state have arraigned a woman, Cynthia Ukachukwu, before a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Yaba, Lagos State, for failing to produce her husband, Augustine, before the court for trial after he was released to her on bail.
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Punch reports that the police prosecutor, Haruna Magaji, told the court that Cynthia’s husband, Augustine Ukachukwu, was arraigned for obtaining money by false pretenses and stealing N2.2m from one Grace Uzoigwe under the pretence of selling a parcel of land to her. Cynthia and her husband, who disguised as a pastor, in March 2018, promised the complainant, Uzoigwe, that they would sell a parcel of land that was partially developed to her, and convinced her to pay N2.2m into Augustine’s bank account. However, after making payment, the couple failed to fulfill their end of the transaction, Uzoigwe asked for a refund but the couple allegedly refused and began to threaten her
Uzoigwe immediately reported the matter to the police and Augustine was picked up by the police. The police told the court that Augustine was released to Cynthia who stood as a surety after signing a bail bond on March 2, 2021, with a promise to always be available whenever the police authority needed his presence in the pending matter, a promise she failed to uphold before her arrest.
According to Magaji, the offence contravened and is punishable under Section 97 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
The charge read
“That you, Cynthia Ukachukwu, on March 2, 2021, at the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, M. A. K Smith Street, Panti, Yaba, Lagos, in the Yaba Magisterial District, did stand in as a surety for the bail of one Augustine Ukachukwu, involved in a case of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing wherein you undertake to produce the defendant at any time until the case is disposed of, but failed to produce him, an attempt to pervert the cause of justice and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
When the charge was read to her, Cynthia pleaded not guilty. Magistrate Adefope granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500.000 with two responsible sureties and adjourned the case till May 9, 2023.
