The Enugu State Police Command , on Monday, arraigned the traditional ruler-elect of the Ogugu community in the Awgu Local Government Area of the state , Chief Emmanuel Ogbonna, before the Enugu South Magistrates ’ Court for perjury .
The police accused Ogbonna of claiming on oath to be an engineer when he had no qualifying certificate to back the claim .
The two counts read , “ That you , Chief Emmanuel Muodebel Ogbonna , sometime in 2011 at the Enugu State High Court, Awgu Division , within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did make an oath in suit No . HAW / 01 / 2011 between Chief Emmanuel Muodebel Ogbonna and Jonas Uchenwa and six others , that you are an engineer when you knew you never obtained any professional qualifying certificate , thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 145 and punishable under Section 146 of the Criminal Code , Cap 30 , Vol . II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004 .
“ That you , Chief Emmanuel Muodebel Ogbonna, within same time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district , did with intent to defraud falsely represent yourself as a professional engineer when you knew you were not , thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 460 of the Criminal Code , Cap 30 , Vol . II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004 . ”
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges .
His counsel , Nwabueze Ugwu , applied for his bail on very liberal terms , saying , “ The accused is an octogenarian and Igwe - elect of his community . It is that status that is in contention ; the accused is a community leader ; he is always in his palace in the village and can never absent himself from court . We make an application that he be granted bail on self recognition. ”
The police prosecutor , ASP Austin Aguodoh, said he would not oppose the bail application provided that the defendant would provide reasonable surety that must have verifiable address .
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