Enugu Magistrates’ Court Remands Suspected Robber in Custody for Alleged Armed Robbery

An Enugu Magistrates’ Court in Enugu North Local Government Area has ordered the remand of a 40-year-old man, Osita Igwe, to the Enugu Correctional Centre on charges of armed robbery.

The suspect is accused of robbing another resident, Chief Chijioke Mba, of his belongings in an incident that allegedly occurred on 5th July 2024 at the Ebeano Tunnel, Enugu.

Osita Igwe, whose residential address remains undisclosed, is facing a three-count charge of robbery.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, Igwe pleaded not guilty to all counts. The case is being overseen by the Enugu Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, under case file number MEN/541/2024.

According to the charge sheet presented in court, Igwe is accused of conspiring with others who are currently at large to commit the crime of armed robbery.

The charges against Igwe are severe and specifically laid out in the court documents.

The prosecution claims, “That you, Osita Igwe, and others now at large, on or about the 5th day of July 2024, at Ebeano Tunnel Road, Enugu, within the Enugu Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit a felony to wit: Robbery, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 6(b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, CAP. R11 L.F.N. 2004.”

The court further heard that Igwe, along with his accomplices, used personal violence during the robbery.

The stolen items allegedly include a Samsung Fold 4 phone valued at 1,300,000 naira, an iPhone 13 Pro Max worth 800,000 naira, a black iPhone charging cord valued at 5,000 naira, and an envelope containing 500 US dollars in cash.

These items, valued at a total of over two million naira, belong to Chief Chijioke Mba.

The robbery charges are compounded by the alleged use of personal violence during the commission of the crime.

This aggravating factor places the offence under the stringent penalties outlined in Sections 1(1) and 1(2)(b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, CAP. R11 L.F.N. 2004.

In addition, the alleged actions of Igwe and his accomplices contravene Sections 6(b) and 315(3) of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Law 2009, Revised Laws of Enugu State.

During the court proceedings, Magistrate Nelson Egbo presided over the case, listening to the prosecution’s account of the events. Despite the gravity of the charges and the detailed account of the alleged crime, Igwe maintained his plea of not guilty.

His defence team argued that there was insufficient evidence directly linking him to the crime, and they requested bail.

However, the Magistrate, citing the severity of the offence and the risk of flight given the ongoing police search for the other suspects involved, denied the bail request.

Magistrate Egbo adjourned the case to 20th September 2024 for further hearing. Until then, Osita Igwe will remain in custody at the Enugu Correctional Centre.

The adjournment will allow the prosecution to gather more evidence and potentially present additional witnesses who could further clarify the circumstances of the robbery.

It is expected that during the next court sitting, the court will review the evidence against Igwe, including any material that might directly link him to the crime scene.

The case has drawn significant attention within the local community, highlighting concerns about public safety in the Enugu area, particularly in locations like the Ebeano Tunnel, which has seen a rise in criminal activities in recent months.

Local residents are hopeful that justice will be served and that security measures will be strengthened to prevent further incidents of armed robbery.

This incident underscores the broader challenges faced by law enforcement in Enugu as they work to curb rising crime rates and ensure the safety of residents.

The court’s decision to remand Igwe in custody reflects the serious nature of the charges and the judiciary’s commitment to due process.

The outcome of this case could serve as a critical precedent in how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly those involving violent crime and theft in Enugu State.