An Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka, presided over by Justice Jude Obiora, on Friday granted bail in the sum of N50 million to an Nnewi-based native doctor, Ikechukwu Ezenagu, popularly known as “Muomiri Afuluanya”, with a surety in like sum.
According to The Punch, Justice Obiora, in his ruling, also imposed additional conditions, including the deposit of the title document of the defendant’s residence, which would be forfeited should he abscond.
The court further restricted the defendant from granting media interviews while his trial is ongoing.
“The defendant has been granted a bail in the sum of N50million and a surety in like sum. Other bail conditions include deposit of title document of a house, which would be forfeited if the defendant jumps bail.”
One of the defence counsel, Kingsley Awuka, who addressed journalists after the proceedings, said “the court was gracious in granting the bail, and deservedly so”.
Awuka further noted that the bail terms were within the defendant’s capacity to fulfil, expressing confidence that the matter would be resolved fairly through due process.
The Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, is leading the prosecution in the case, which involves allegations of violation of provisions of the Anambra Homeland Security Law.
Ezenagu was arrested on March 26 by operatives of the state security outfit, Agunechemba Security Outfit, over alleged breaches of the state’s Homeland Security Law.
Following his arrest, security operatives reportedly searched his residence in Nnewi as part of ongoing investigations into his activities.
He was initially brought to court from the hospital on June 3, when his counsel, Kingsley Awuka, applied for bail on health grounds and requested that he be allowed to remain in the hospital until the next adjourned date.
However, during the June 3 proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Tobechukwu Nweke, opposed the application and urged the court to remand him pending the determination of the bail motion.
The defendant was subsequently remanded at the Amawbia Correctional Centre until Friday, June 19, when he was granted bail.
Earlier, The Punch reported on March 26 that Ezenagu was arrested by operatives of Agunechemba Security Outfit over alleged violations of the Homeland Security Law.
The Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, had alleged that the native doctor encouraged young people to patronise him with promises of wealth rituals, including bathing in a stream located behind his residence.
Emeakayi maintained that such activities violated the Homeland Security Law, adding that the suspect had previously been warned by authorities but allegedly failed to desist.
