The police in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have dragged a 44-year-old businesswoman, Edward Ogochukwu, before an Upper Area Court, Gwagwalada for allegedly abandoning her husband and absconding with his children and belongings.
The suspect, who resides in Dagiri Gwagwalada, Abuja, was charged with abandonment of spouse and theft.
The Judge, Abdullahi Abdulkarim, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N50,000, with one reasonable surety in like sum.
Abdulkarim said the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and adjourned the matter till Sept. 28 for a hearing.
The Prosecution Counsel, Abdullahi Tanko, told the court that the matter was reported at Gwagwalada police station by one Mr Tony Umegborodu on July 28.
Tanko said the complainant had, on July 27, upon his return from his brother’s house, discovered that his wife (defendant) had taken away his belongings.
He said the defendant made away with chairs and kitchen utensils (values yet unknown), an Itel cell phone, valued at N36,000 and cash of N850,000.
He said the defendant also left with their children to an unknown destination.
According to him, the offences contravene the provisions of Section 16 of the Violence Against Persons (VAP) Act and Section 287 of the Penal Code.
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The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against her.
Meanwhile, the Adamawa State Fire Service has confirmed that 14 shops were affected when a night fire gutted the main market in Yola Town, Yola South Local Government Area.
The market had been hit by the fire on the night of Monday when a dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on the state earlier on Sunday was in force.
The Director of the Adamawa Fire Service, Abdullahi Adamu said Tuesday afternoon that his station, with reinforcement from federal and private sister fire services, succeeded in stopping the inferno from destroying more shops.
According to the Chief firefighter, the fire started as a result of a gas explosion at a restaurant in the market.
“The fire was as a result of a six-kilogramme gas cylinder explosion in a local restaurant,” he said.
Responding to the fire incident, the state Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, paid a sympathy visit to the market where he announced a donation of N5m.
The governor who visited 10 shops regarded as being worst affected, said the owners of each of the 10 would be assisted with N500,000 to restock and continue with their businesses.
He told the entire market community that the market would be rebuilt to modern standards.