A Chief Magistrate Court, sitting in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra state, has ordered the arrest of a Rev. Father, Ejike Nwankwo, over a case of assault, malicious damage and conduct likely to cause breach of peace standing against him in the court.
Issuing a warrant of arrest against Rev Father Nwankwo, the presiding Magistrate, His Worship Nnaemeka Nnacheta, ordered that the cleric should be arrested anywhere he is seen and brought to court to answer charges against him.
In a five count charge at the Magistrate Court, Reverend Father Ejike Nwankwo and others at large, were accused thus:”That you, Reverend Ejike Nwankwo, male, of Maryland Catholic Centre Okpuko Awka and others at large, on or about 7th of May, 2021, at Umunze town in Orumba South District, did commit the offences; threatening violence, assault, malicious damage and conduct likely to cause breach of peace; you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 496 of the Criminal Code CAP 36 Vol.11, Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 1991.
“That you, Reverend Father Nwankwo, male, and others at large on the said date, place and aforesaid Magisterial District did commit the offence of assault, in that you assaulted one Nnenna Ezenwa, female; Chioma Julia, female; Chigazunwa Ugwu, female; and Christian Anointing, male; by hitting them with fist blows and sticks on different parts of their bodies which caused them hurt; you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 250 and punishable under section 253 of the Criminal Code CAP 36 VOL. 11, Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 1991.
“That you, Reverend Father Ejike Nwankwo, male, and others at large on the said date, place and aforesaid Magisterial District committed an offence of threatening violence, in that you threatened the lives of Nnenna Ezenwa, Chioma Julia, Chigazunwa Ugwu and Christian Anointing, in the public place by saying you would kill them, their blood will flow today and also burn down the place they were which you did with intent of annoying them; you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 120 of the Criminal Code CAP 36 VOL.II, Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria, 1991.
When the matter came up last Tuesday, the Police Prosecutor, DSP Patrick Ogele, drew the attention of the Court to Reverend Father Nwankwo alleged consistent refusal to come to court to answer to the charges, prompting the presiding Magistrate to issue a Bench Warrant against him.
