Murder Charge: Magistrate Grants Accused Rev., Wife, Son Bail, Hands -Off Case

A Chief Magistrate presiding over Court 3 in Umuahia Abia state His Worship John Ukairo on Friday granted the bail application by a seventy year old Reverend of the Presbyterian Church, Rev. Okwudiri Nwanmuo, his 61-year-old wife Margaret and 30-year-old son Joseph Okwudiri who were standing trial on four count charges.

Magistrate Ukairo withdrew from further hearing of the case after granting the bail, citing as his reason, pressures from many members of the Presbyterian Church which he is also a member, and transferred the case file to the Administrative Magistrate for re assignment to another Magistrate.

The four count charges for which the state Police Commissioner arraigned them on 30th September, 2015 were conspiring among themselves to commit felony to wit -attempted murder, intent to kill one Nwanmuo Chukwuemeka, conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace by brandishing cutlasses to destroy and threatening the life of the said Chukwuemeka.

While pronouncing the Bail, Magistrate Ukairo noted that the three accused pleaded not- guilty to the charges explaining that the main objective of bail pending trial is to ensure that the accused person presents self and is always available to face or stand for his trial.
He granted the first accused (Rev. Nwamuo) bail on self-recognition in the sum of N200, 000. Other accused were also granted bail to the tune of N200, 000 each with surety that may serve them both.

The Defense Counsel lauded the magistrate for granting his clients, pledging that they would attend all future court scheduled sessions until the case is disposed off.