Disrobed lawyer remanded for fabricating false evidence

A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja has ordered the remand in prison custody of a disrobed lawyer, Mr. Ephraim Emeka Ugwuonye.

He was remanded for fabricating false evidence and giving false information with intent to mislead a public servant in the discharge of her duty.

Ugwuoke was arraigned on a one-count charge of injurious falsehood, defamation, giving false information with intent to mislead a public servant in discharge of her duty, fabricating false evidence, impersonation and inciting disturbance, contrary to and punishable under sections 393,342,148,158,132 and 114 of the Penal Code Law.

The FIR reads: ‘’That on October 16, about 4:30, acting on a tip-off, Ephraim Emeka Ugwuonye of 25, Adeyemo Alakija Street, Victoria Island, Lagos was arrested by detectives from the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, FCT Police Force Command, Abuja.

“That on October 15, Ugwuonye published injurious and abusive languages against the Nigeria Police Force on his Facebook page titled: Due Process Advocate, with the intention to dissuade police investigators from carrying out their roles and fabricating false evidence of the names of suspects in police detention through videotaping and circulating same with intent to extort money from the public, incite public disturbance against the Nigerian Police Force by impersonating to be a practising lawyer after being disrobed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. You thereby commit the above mentioned offence.’’

After the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges read to him, his lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Chukwu, urged the court to grant the defendant bail pending trial.

But police counsel Mr. James Idachaba opposed the application for bail on the grounds of state offence, saying the defendant had jumped bail several times.

Chief Magistrate Ahmed Ndajiwo, after listening to both parties, adjourned till October 25 for hearing of the bail application.