In a session held on Tuesday, the Enugu North Magistrates’ Court brought Emeka Edoh, a deputy director at the Enugu State Water Corporation, to trial for allegedly defrauding several Enugu residents of N150,000.
Edoh, aged 56, stood before Magistrate Joseph Agu facing a one-count charge of obtaining funds under false pretense. Despite the charge, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
Representing Edoh, his counsel E.E. Ezekwe sought bail, citing the bailable nature of the offense. However, the prosecutor, Onyinye Ugwu, a senior legal officer from the Office of the Attorney-General of Enugu State, opposed the bail application, asserting the seriousness of the alleged offense.
After hearing the arguments of both parties, Mr Agu granted the defendant N500,000 bail and a surety, who must be a staff of the Enugu State Water Corporation on Grade Level 14 or above.
Earlier, the prosecutor told the court that the offence was committed on April 23 at No 144 Banks Avenue in Enugu North Magisterial District.
Ms Ugwu said the defendant defrauded Chinyere Ogbonna, Onyinye Ugwu, and other neighbourhood members of N150,000 by false pretence of rectifying their bill at the state Water Corporation.
She added that the offence committed was punishable under section 386 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30 Vol 11, reversed Laws of the Enugu State of Nigeria.
The magistrate, therefore, adjourned the matter till May 22 for a hearing.
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