A 41-year-old businessman, Mr Ezeume Ikenna and 73-year-old man, James Ezeume, have been arraigned before a Magistrate Court 3 sitting in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State for assaulting a former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Aniocha Branch, Barrister Jideofor Okongwu.
The defendants, currently standing trial over allegations of slapping Barrister Okongwu in his office, were arraigned by the police in the case titled, ‘Inspector General of Police v Ezeume Ikenna “M’ 41yrs Ezeume and James Ezeume “M’ 73yrs’ with the charge sheet No: MAW/405/C/2025.
According to the charge sheet obtained by our correspondent on Monday, December 15, 2925, the defendants are facing two counts, summarised as follows:
COUNT one: “That you Ikenna Ezeume, male and James Ezeume male, on or about the 9” April, 2025, at No. 84 Arthur Eze Avenue, Awka, in the Awka Magisterial District, conspire to commit a misdemeanor to wit: Assault on the person of one Barrister Jideofor Okongwu ‘m. and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 496(a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 36 Vol. I, Revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria, 1991 as amended.
COUNT two: “That you Ezeume Ikenna, male, on or about the 9% April, 2025, at No. 84 Arthur Eze Avenue, Awka, in the Awka Magisterial District, did unlawfully assault one Barrister Jideofor Okongwu ‘m’ by slapping him on his face and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 252 of the Criminal Code, Cap 36 Vol. II, Revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria, 1991 as amended.
However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge read to them at the floor of the court.
The counsel for the defendants, A.C. Nwogbo, applied orally for bail, urging the court to exercise its discretion in favour of his clients
The case was brought to the court by the prosecution counsel, M.C Eboh, from the Directorate of Legal Services, Zone 13 Headquarters, Ukpo, Anambra State and adjourned to 18th March, 2026 for hearing by the Magistrate, Nonyelum C. Anya Egbunam.
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