Ex-legislator Arraigned For Alleged Contempt Of Court

A former Deputy Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mr Fidelis Ogodo, was last Wednesday arraigned?before an Abakaliki Magistrates’ Court for contempt of court.

Police prosecutor Leonard Okputu told the court that the accused was arraigned on a one-count charge of contempt of court.

He alleged that the accused had on different occasions disobeyed valid court orders for him to appear before it without vacating such orders through a court of superior jurisdiction.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His counsel, Mr Sunday Ugwu, in an oral application for bail prayed the court to grant his client bail since the offence was not a capital offence and was bailable.

“My Lord, the accused is standing trial for contempt of the court which attracts a prison sentence of three months. It is not a capital offence we are dealing with.It is my humble prayer that Your Lordship be kind and gracious to grant my client bail,” Ugwu said.

He assured the court that the accused would appear anytime he was needed in court.

The prosecution council, Mr Joe Ununu, did not oppose the bail application.

The accused was granted bail in the sum N50,000 and one surety in like sum who must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court.The court adjourned hearing on the matter to August 23.