An Abia State Magistrate’s Court in Umuahia has convicted and ordered the arrest of Uche Ogah, a former minister of state for mines and steel development.
Uche Ogah Convicted In Abia
The former minister was convicted on Thursday by the presiding magistrate, Ngozi N. Nwangwa, who also ordered his arrest and committal to prison at any nearest Correctional Center in the state.
In the suit marked UMSC/362/2022, the Abia state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) alleged that Ogah fabricated the party’s direct primary result sheet “with intent that it may be acted on as genuine”, despite not participating in the party’s May 26, 2022 governorship primary.
According to the complainant, Ogah’s “falsification” was detrimental to the party and Ikechi Emenike, whom the party recognizes as its “authentic governorship flagbearer”.
The plaintiff submitted that the offense is in contravention of section 465 of the Criminal Code (as it applies in Abia) and punishable under section 467.
In her judgment, the Presiding Magistrate Ngozi N. Nwangwa held that the defendant/respondent “is guilty as charged”, adding, “I am convinced that the defendant has no defence”.
“I, hereby, commit Dr Uche Ogah for the offence as charged,” she said.
The defendant was not present in court, so the magistrate gave security agencies the order to arrest him wherever he may be and hold him in any correctional facility until the day he is brought to court for sentencing.
Ogah had failed to appear before the court since November when the matter came up for hearing, and he also did not have a legal representative.
The magistrate, however, said the former minister had written a petition to the chief judge and the attorney-general alleging “bias and compromise”.
KanyiDaily recalls that Uche Ogah had declared for Abia governorship election, saying his decision to join the race was to enable him to change “the ugly narrative of the state, when elected”.
