An Aba Chief Magistrate, His Worship, Chief Magistrate Q. C. Onyemachi, has struck out criminal charges brought against two Ariaria International Market traders, Henry Chika Ogbatuo, of Ozordinaihu Multipurpose International, and Ifeanyichukwu Umeora of Afia Owo Investment Nigeria, and discharged them for lack of prosecution.The three count criminal charges had been reported to Abia Commissioner of police, by one Chibueze Ezike of Work and Chop Multi-ventures Nigeria, and the matter brought to the Chief Magistrate Court holding at Abayi , Osisioma Magisterial district.When the Charge No. MOS 100 C/2021, which was adjourned for definite hearing was called up in court on 6/10 2022, the two defendants, Ogbatuo and Umeora were present with their lawyer Edwin Okoro Esq, while the prosecutor and the nominal complainant, Ezike were absent .The Court heard that the Complainant and Prosecutor did not send any letter or message explaining why they were absent, a scenario which played out on the first day of September 2022 when the matter was first mentioned in that court.Justice Onyemachi ESQ, Chief Magistrate Grade1 said in his judgment said it was obvious to the court that the criminal complainant, Ezike had lost interest in further pursuit of the case, struck out the suit and discharged the defendants, Ogbatuo and Umeora, as was earlier applied by the defendants lawyer, Okoro Esq.The judgment read thus; “Therefore based on the application of the defense counsel wherein he has applied that this matter be struck out, and relying on section 350 (1) of the Abia state administration of Criminal justice law 2017, the charge is hereby dismissed and the defendants are accordingly discharged”.It could be recalled that based on Ezike’s report to the Commissioner of police, three counts criminal charges were brought against the two defendants, namely, allegation of misdemeanor/threatening violence, intimidation and threat to kill, as well as conduct likely to cause breach of peace.The defendants were exonerated of the three count criminal charges leveled against them by the complainant, Ezike, by his refusal and refusal of the prosecutor to appear in court.According to the charge sheet, the incidents occurred on July 6 2021 at No. 123 Umuocham road , Abayi Aba, in Osisioma Magisterial district. END
