Enugu: Man Who Severed Wife’s Hand Arraigned, Case Transferred to State High Court

● Ferdy Agu 

Mr. Sunday Echeji, who allegedly cut off his wife’s hand in a shocking act of domestic violence, was arraigned on Friday, January 31, 2025, before the Chief Magistrate Court 1 in Enugu. The gruesome incident, which took place in Ugwuogede village, Ibagwa-Agu, Nsukka Local Government Area, has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for swift justice.

The charge brought against Echeji was attempted murder, filed under Section 275, Subsection A of the Criminal Code (Cap 30, Vol. 1, Revised Laws of Enugu State, 2004). Due to the severity of the crime, the Chief Magistrate Court declined jurisdiction and ordered the case transferred to the State Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for proper trial at the State High Court.

Following the court proceedings, Echeji was remanded at the Enugu State Correctional Centre, where he will remain until his trial begins at the State High Court. Human rights advocates have commended the judiciary for handling the case with the urgency and seriousness it deserves. “This case is a test of our justice system’s resolve to protect women from extreme violence,” said Barrister Amaka Eze, a women’s rights lawyer based in Enugu. “The authorities must ensure that justice is served to deter future occurrences.”

The Office of the First Lady of Enugu State, led by Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, has been actively monitoring the case, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to ending violence against women. In a public statement, the First Lady condemned the act, saying, “This kind of violence will not be tolerated in our state. Rest assured, we will ensure that justice is served. So, think twice before you ever think of committing such a barbaric or inhumane act or indeed any form of violence because, with this administration, you must face justice!”

Various civil society organizations have also weighed in, calling for stricter enforcement of laws against domestic violence. The Executive Director of the Women Aid Collective (WACOL), Professor Joy Ezeilo, emphasized the need for legal reforms and social awareness. “Beyond punishing offenders, we must create a society where women feel safe, where there are robust support systems, and where impunity for such heinous crimes is eradicated,” she said.

The Enugu State Government has been proactive in strengthening legal frameworks and support systems for survivors of domestic violence. Law enforcement agencies, civil society groups, and legal practitioners are working collaboratively to ensure that cases like this set a strong precedent against all forms of gender-based violence. Efforts are also being made to expand shelters and rehabilitation programs for survivors.

As the case moves to the State High Court, the public continues to watch closely, hoping for a judgment that not only holds the perpetrator accountable but also reinforces the state’s zero-tolerance stance on domestic violence. Many have expressed hope that this trial will serve as a turning point in the fight against gender-based violence in Enugu and beyond. GMTNewsng

Aba Power Commends Communities For Embracing Ownership Of Electricity Infrastructure

Aba Power, Nigeria’s newest electricity distribution company (DisCo), has lauded leaders and residents of some communities in nine of the 17 local government areas it provides electricity for taking ownership of the electric power infrastructure in their places.

The commendation followed the actions of members of the communities against attempts to tamper with the electricity infrastructure in two LGAs in Aba City.

According to Edise Ekong, the Aba Power Brand and Communication manager, the vandalization efforts failed because vigilant community leaders and members, on noticing the suspicious movements of the vandals, confronted them while alerting both the police and the security staff of the Geometric Power Group, Aba Power’s parent company.

While escaping from the scene, Ekong narrated, one of the vandals who stole the upriser cables of a 500kva distribution transformer at the Abayi-Ogbuligba Junction, which is by the Ariara Junction in Osisioma LGA, was electrocuted.

Scene of the vandalization 

“It is regrettable that the young man, Obioma Joseph Nwadinma, in his 20s and an indigene from a nearby community, lost his life in an ignominious manner, thereby bringing shame to his family, community and friends”, the manager remarked, adding that his family felt scandalized by his conduct.

Ekong stated the second person, Isaac Ude, was caught while tampering with prepaid meters in the Tonimas Building at 10 Diobu Avenue, off the Aba-Owerri Road in Aba North LGA, when the people raised the alarm and quickly contacted the police and the Aba Power security team who apprehended him.

“These two related incidents, among others”, said Ekong, “show that communities, businesses, and individuals in our coverage area are fast developing the owner’s mindset, that is, they recognize that the electricity infrastructure in their places is their own asset which has to be protected by all means for the benefit of all”.

He described the development as a deviation from the traditional stance of the Nigerian people who would see critical infrastructural facilities like power facilities, telecommunication cables, rail track slippers and petroleum pipelines being vandalized without raising an alarm because they considered them no person’s property.

Ekong expressed optimism that “as natural gas supply to our 188-megawatt General Electric plant is expected to resume soon, after the unknown last weekend and pipelines supplying gas to the plant, our electricity supply to customers will become more constant, resulting in the people getting more enthusiastic about cooperating with Aba Power to protect their property.

 The electrocuted suspect

“We are immensely grateful to the communities in our franchise area for their understanding and support, which we will never take for granted.

“We imploreedit them to continue to be vigilant and alert security agencies and Aba Power of any suspicious movements around the electric power infrastructure where they live or work”. GMTNewsng

A 41-year-old Canadian national, Adrienne Munju, has admitted to smuggling a large consignment of synthetic cannabis into Nigeria to finance her Master’s degree program in Canada. Munju was arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, upon arrival on a KLM Airline flight from Canada on Thursday, October 3, 2024.

She was arrested upon arrival on a KLM Airline flight from Canada, carrying a large consignment of a potent strain of synthetic cannabis known as ‘Canadian Loud’. The drugs were discovered during routine passenger checks at the airport.

In a statement released by the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, Munju revealed her motive for trafficking the drugs.

“I was recruited through an online platform to smuggle the consignment for 10,000 Canadian dollars,” she admitted. “I desperately needed the money to pay my MSc fees. That was the only way I could keep up with my tuition and living expenses.”

Babafemi further disclosed that 74 parcels of the illicit substance, weighing 35.20 kilograms, were found stashed in two of Munju’s three bags during a joint examination.

In a separate operation in Rivers State, Babafemi reported that NDLEA operatives seized over 13 million opioid pills and 338,253 bottles of codeine-based syrup valued at over N9 billion at the Port Harcourt Ports in Onne. He noted, “The illicit cargo, which arrived from India, was intercepted following a 100% examination by the NDLEA, the Nigerian Customs Service, and other stakeholders on October 2 and 3.”

Similarly, in Lagos, NDLEA officers uncovered 50 kilograms of Canadian Loud concealed in 100 parcels at the Tin Can Seaport. According to Babafemi, the consignment was hidden in a container along with four imported vehicles from Canada. “The drugs were found inside one of the vehicles, a Toyota Sienna bus, which had been traced to a warehouse in Ikorodu,” he added. A suspect, identified as Abubakar Shuaibu Ibrahim, was arrested in connection with the Lagos operation.

The crackdown extended to Taraba State, where NDLEA operatives intercepted a commercial bus en route from Onitsha, Anambra State to Jalingo, Taraba, on October 3. A total of 80 blocks of cannabis, weighing 38kg, were discovered hidden in bags of garri.

Babafemi said, “Two suspects, Pako Thomas and Emmanuel Anyigor, were arrested in connection with the cannabis haul. Another suspect, Chibuzor Okafor, was later nabbed with an additional 80 blocks of cannabis in Wukari.”

Operations in Edo and Ondo

Babafemi also highlighted the destruction of two large cannabis farms spanning over three hectares at Bridge Camp, a boundary between Edo and Ondo states. “We destroyed over 9,966 kilograms of cannabis from the farms, while 48 kilograms of already processed cannabis were recovered,” he stated.

During these operations, the NDLEA also seized 700 litres of “skuchies”—a dangerous cocktail of Chapman and illicit drugs—from three suspects identified as Ezekiel Akpele, Elijah Michael, and Goddard John.

Babafemi reiterated the agency’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and illicit substances in Nigeria. “The NDLEA remains vigilant in safeguarding our ports, borders, and communities from the menace of drug smuggling. We will continue to track and dismantle drug syndicates wherever they operate,” he vowed. GMTNewsng