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By Anayo Okoli
Friday, September 03, 2004
AWKA— THE Director of Operations of the Anambra State Vigilantee Services (AVS) which has been providing security for Governor Chris Ngige since his police details were withdrawn over a year ago, Chief Jude Osude was yesterday arraigned before an Awka Magistrate Court on a four court charge of felony to commit arson and stealing. The offence is punishable under section 495 (a) of the Criminal Code Cap. 36 Vol. II Revised laws of Anambra State 1991 as amended.Osude was however granted bail by the presiding magistrate, Mrs. V.N. Ibeziakor who said that if he was refused bail the security of the state would suffer.Osude 52, was in the charge number MAO/196c/04 accused as follows:
•That you Jude Osude ‘m’ and others now at large between 16th day of May 2004 and 22nd May 2004 at Agu Awka in Awka Magisterial District did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit arson, stealing thereby committed an offence punishable under section 495 (a) of the Criminal Code Cap. 36 vol. II Revised Laws of Anambra State 1991 as amended.
• That you Jude Osude ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, place and in the aforesaid Magisterial District did wilfully and unlawfully set fire on a complete five room store valued N2,500,000.00,property of one Chief James Uzuh and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 416 (a) of the Criminal Code Cap. 36 Val. II Revised Laws of Anambra State 1991 as amended.
• That you Jude Osude and others now at large on same date, place and in the aforesaid Magisterial District did steal one deep freezer valued at N75,000.00, 21inch Aika colour Television valued at N23,000.00, Four SMC Ceilling Fans valued N12,000.00, One Panasonic Video Machine valued N25,000.00, One sharp VCD Machine valued N15,000.00, 30 plastic seats valued N45,000.00, Five cartons Gulder beer valued N10,000.00, Five Cartons of Small Stout beer valued N10,000.00, two cartons of Star beer valued N2,000.00, three crates of Coca cola soft drink valued N25,000.00, three crates of Malter Guinness valued N35,000.00, two dozens of breakable cup valued N12,000.00, all of which valued at N270,000.00, properties of one Jeff Maduali and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 353 (g) (12) of the Criminal Code Cap. 36 vol. II Revised Laws of Anambra State 1991 as amended.
That you Jude Osude ‘m’ and others now at large on same date, place and in the aforesaid MagisterialDistrict did steal the sum of N53200.00, property of Nelson Ifeanyi and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 353 (g) (12) of the Criminal Code Cap. 36 vol. II Revised Laws of Anambra State 1991 as amended. After reading out the charges to him, Osude’s lawyer Mr. Chudi Nwankwo applied for bail for his client, saying that as the director of security operations to a governor that has no police details, if he is thrown into detention the security of the state will suffer.
But the police prosecutor, Sergent Samuel Abugu and another lawyer who spoke as a friend of the court, Mr. Val Elosiuba opposed the bail application, saying that his position as director of security operation does not give him imunity to abuse the law. However, after listening to their arguments, the presiding magistrate, Mrs. V.N.N. Ibeziakor grantedOsude bail, saying that refusing him bail would jeopardize the security of the state. She however,addmitted that Osude’s position does not guarantee him the immunity to take the laws into his hands. She said, she would grant the application to enable him (Osude) carry on with his state job. Ibeziakor granted the bail in the sum of N.5 million and a surety and adjourned the matter to October 13, 2004.
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