An official of the Enugu State Water Corporation, Mr. Emeka Edoh, currently serving as Deputy Director, has been brought before a Magistrate Court in Enugu North Magisterial District. He is facing charges of false pretense with the intent to defraud Enugu residents of N150,000.
Appearing before Chief Magistrate Joseph Agu on Tuesday, Mr. Edoh, a 56-year-old level 15 civil servant, pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
Simultaneously, the Police also arraigned four individuals – Onyeka Nicholas, Okechukwu Umeh, Monday Udeh, and Tochukwu Eze, alongside others who are currently at large. They were charged for setting up illegal roadblocks, intimidating, and extorting money from residents and motorists in Enugu.
Mr. Edoh’s charge specified that he allegedly obtained N150,000 from Chinyere Ogbonna, Onyinye Ugwu, and others in the neighborhood under false pretenses of rectifying their water corporation bills at a specified address in Enugu North Magisterial District.
During the court proceedings, a bail application was presented by Mr. Edoh’s counsel, Barr. E.E. Ezekwe, contending that the offense was bailable. This application was challenged by Barr. Onyinye Ugwu, a Senior Legal Officer from the Office of the Attorney-General of Enugu State, arguing the severity of the charges.
After deliberation, Magistrate Agu granted Mr. Edoh bail set at N500,000 along with a requirement for a surety from the Enugu State Water Corporation of Grade Level 14 or higher. The case was adjourned for a hearing scheduled for May 22, 2024.
Conversely, the other accused individuals were not granted bail and faced charges related to felony, intimidation for monetary gain, and disruption of peace. Their case was adjourned to May 16, 2024.
Following recent directives from Governor Peter Mbah’s administration, the illegal roadblocks and unauthorized revenue collection have been banned across the state. The administration warned that individuals hindering the government’s efforts to ensure a steady water supply in Enugu will face legal consequences.