A High Court in Owerri, Imo State, on Tuesday, once again denied a suspected child trafficker, Ngozi Ebuzoaju, bail.
Ebuzoaju, a nurse, who was brought to the court in handcuffs by officers of the Owerri Correctional Centre, had been in custody for some months.
At the resumed hearing, the presiding judge, Justice Innocent Njaka, declined the bail application filled by the counsel for the accused, R. I. Ukadike and Onyenaucheya, and transferred the case file to the High Court 5.
The ruling came after the counsel for the state, U. F. Ejimonye, informed the court that a fresh suit had been instituted against the accused in the High Court 5 by the state Ministry of Justice, which he represented.
But the counsel for the accused urged the court to grant the nurse bail “in the interest of justice.”
After listening to the parties, the judge refused the bail application and transferred the case file to the High Court 5 for hearing.
“I know I have the power to grant her bail, but I have a policy in this court. I don’t grant bail in cases that are in another court. This case is, therefore, adjourned till February 18 and transferred to High Court 5 for hearing,” the judge said.
He advised the counsel for the accused to file their bail application before the presiding judge of the new court.
N. Okafor announced appearance for the African Women Lawyers’ Association.
The police in the state had arrested one Mrs Chinyere Ohanyere, popularly known as Madam Chichi, for allegedly trafficking two children.
Ebuzoaju was later arrested by the police for allegedly being part of the illicit transaction.
Ohanyere and Ebuzoaju were arraigned separately by the police.
While Ohanyere has been granted bail, Ebuzoaju is still awaiting trial and is in the custody of the Owerri Correctional Centre.
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