By Judith Eze
A 32-year-old nursing mother, Mrs. Ann Akpa, has been remanded by a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, for allegedly assaulting Magistrate Lilian Igwesi.
Akpa was accused of flogging Magistrate Igwesi with a stick on August 28, 2023, at 32 Hill Top Road, Abakaliki. She also faced charges of causing a breach of peace by pouring dirt inside the Magistrate’s apartment.
The charges were brought against her under sections 335 and 249(d) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33, Volume 1, Laws of Ebonyi State, Nigeria, 2009.
Akpa pleaded not guilty to the two-count charges of assault and causing a breach of peace. The defense counsel, A. J. Uguru, applied for bail for the defendant, emphasizing the bailable nature of the offense.
Magistrate Lynda Ogodo declared the bail reserved, and ordered her remand in Nigeria Correctional Centre Abakaliki, and adjourned the reserved bail hearing to September 27, 2023.
The charges read: “That you, Akpa Ann, aged 32 years old, on the 28th day of August 2023 at No 32 Hilltop Road Abakaliki, under the jurisdiction of this honorable court, did unlawfully assault one Mrs. Igwesi Lilian by flogging her with a stick at her left-hand side, causing her harm, thereby committing an offense punishable under section 335 of the Criminal Code, Cap 33, Volume 1, Law of Ebonyi state of Nigeria 2009.”
“That you, Ann Akpa, on the same date and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by pouring dirt inside one Mrs. Igwesi Lilian’s flat, thereby committing an offense punishable under Section 249(d) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33, Volume 1, Laws of the Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.”
