A High Court in Owerri, Imo State, on Tuesday, denied a child trafficking suspect, Ngozi Ebuzoaju, bail again.
Ebuzoaju, a nurse, who was brought to the court in handcuffs by the officers of Owerri Correctional Centre, had been in custody for months.
At the resumed hearing, the presiding justice, Innocent Njaka, declined the bail application filed by the counsels to the accused, R. I Ukadike and Onyenaucheya, and equally transferred the case file to high court five.
The judge’s ruling came after the counsel to the state, U. F Ejimonye, informed that a fresh suit had been instituted against the accused in High Court five by the state Ministry of Justice which he represented in court.
But counsels to the accused urged the court to grant the nurse bail “in the interest of justice”.
After listening to the parties, the judge declined the accused bail and equally transferred the case file to high court five for hearing.
The judge in his ruling said, “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 five for hearing.”
He advised the counsels to the accused to file their bail application before the presiding justice of High Court five.
C. N Okafor announced an appearance for African Women Lawyers Association.
The police in the state had arrested one Mrs Chinyere Ohanyere popular known as Madam Chichi for allegedly trafficking two children.
Ebuzoaju, who is said to have allegedly been part of the crime, was later arrested by the police.
Ohanyere and Ebuzoaju were arraigned separately by the police in courts.
While Ohanyere had been granted bail, Ebuzoaju is awaiting trial at the Owerri Correctional Centre.
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