Court sends woman to prison custody for setting rented apartment ablaze

A Mararaba Chief Magistrates' Court, Nasarawa State, on Wednesday, remanded a 45-year-old businesswoman, Esther Onuoha, in prison over alleged fire incident in her apartment.

Onuoha, who resides at Mararaba, Nasarawa State, is facing a one-count-charge of mischief.
The accused, however, denied committing the offence.

The prosecutor, Inspector Joseph Ahua, objected to the bail of the accused on the grounds that she had pending issues with the caretaker of the house she rented.

"The accused had an issue with one Mr. U Okonkwo, who is the manager of the property. It was alleged that the accused had been given a notice to vacate the house, even before the incident occurred; and letting the accused go on bail will tamper with the investigation," Ahua said.
The Magistrate, Mr Habila Abundaga, upheld the prosecution’s objection and ordered that Onuoha be remanded in prison.

"The accused is to be remanded in prison and the case is adjourned till August 10," Abundaga said.

The prosecutor had earlier told the court that the matter was reported by Okonkwo of 'Okonkwo and Okonkwo Chambers,' Keffi, at the Sani Abacha Road Police Station, Mararaba, on July 6.

Ahua also alleged that on July 6, the accused, a tenant occupying a two- bedroom flat in one of the property being managed by the chambers, deliberately and negligently set fire on one of the rooms.

He said as a result, the roof, the wall and all the electrical fittings valued at N700,000 were destroyed.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 337 of the Penal Code.