By Eche Nwaobasi
An Onitsha-based lawyer, Mr Ndubuisi Okwuchukwu, has dragged a popular Onitsha businessman, Chief Nwabueze Friday Umeh, to court over an alleged assault on him. The lawyer claimed Umeh, in conjunction with his security guards, carried out the assault on him. He also claimed the businessman threatened to deal with him if he, the lawyer, insists on getting his professional fee from the bizman.
The lawyer claimed his ordeal with the businessman started when he accompanied the bailiffs of Onitsha High Court as a pointer to the office of the businessman to serve him a copy of a court judgment he secured against him concerning the businessman’s refusal to pay him his professional fee on a case he handled for him.
The five-count charge against Umeh read, “That you, Umeh Friday Nwabueze, of No. 15 Modebe Avenue, Onitsha, and others at large on the 26th day of January 2023 at No. 15 Modebe Avenue, Onitsha, in Onitsha magisterial district did conspire to commit a felony to wit, assault occasional harm. You thereby committed an offence punishable under section 495 (a) of the Criminal Code, cap 36, Vol, 11, revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 1991.
“That you, Umeh Friday Nwabueze (m), of the above mentioned address and others now at large, on the same date, place and in the aforementioned magisterial district did unlawfully assault Bar, Ndubuisi Okwuchukwu (m) by beating him up with thugs, which caused him harm. You thereby committed an offence punishable under section 258 of the Criminal Code, cap 36, Vol 11 revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 1991.
“That you, Umeh Friday Nwabueze (m) of the above mentioned address and others now at large on the same date, place and in the aforementioned magisterial district did damage the clothes of Bar Ndubuisi Okwuchukwu by tearing his clothes, while beating him with your thugs. You thereby committed an offence punishable under section 415 (1) of the Criminal Code, cap 36, Vol 11 revised Law of Anambra State of Nigeria 1991.
“That you, Umeh Friday Nwabueze (m) of the above mentioned address and others at large on the same date, place and in the aforementioned magisterial district did willfully obstruct and resist the bailiffs of the high court of justice Onitsha. You hereby committed an offence punishable under section 174 of the Crminal Code, cap 36 vol. 11 revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 1991.
“That you, Umeh Friday Nwabueze (m), of the above mentioned address and others at large on the same date, place and in the aforementioned magisterial district did intimidate Bar. Ndubuisi Okwuchukwu by threatening to kill him, a statement which caused him fear and anxiety. You thereby committed an offence punishable under section 20 (1) of the Violence against Persons (prohibition) laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 2017.”
When the case came up for mention in Onitsha Chief Magisterial Court presided over by Her Worship Ukamaka B. Okoye, the police prosecutor, Inspector C.P. Nwezi, prayed the court to order for a full service of necessary papers to the defendant and his legal team who were absent to enable the case to commence smoothly.
The presiding magistrate ordered for full service to all the parties involved
in the matter and adjourned the case to 11th June 2024 for proper commencement of hearing.
