Two community leaders, Chidi Onyendi (47) and Kalu Maduka (76), have been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Aba South LGA for alleged conspiracy, theft of a transformer valued at N14 million, and issuing threats against local leaders who reported them.
Presiding over the case at Magistrate Court 1, Magistrate Erinma Maduagwu granted the defendants bail set at N500,000 each. The bail conditions include a three-year tax clearance certificate and a surety who must own property within the court’s jurisdiction.
The arraignment is based on a three-count charge filed by the Commissioner of Police under Charge No: MAS/85C/2025.
Court documents allege that Onyendi, Maduka, and others still at large conspired to steal a 300KVA transformer on or before May 1, 2025, at Egbelu Iheorji in the Aba South Magisterial District. The transformer, intended for a community power project, has since been recovered and is currently held at the Aba Area Command Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.
The charge sheet states that the offense contravenes Section 516 A(a) of the Criminal Code Cap 80, Laws of Abia State of Nigeria, among other legal provisions.
The complainants in the matter, Uzoma Cheta—Chairman of the Landlords and Tenants Association—and Uche Emmanuel, an executive member, allege that the defendants threatened to unleash a vigilante group against them in retaliation for reporting the incident to the police. The threats reportedly instilled fear and panic within the community.
The court has adjourned the matter to June 19, 2025, for further hearing, amid calls from residents of Egbelu Iheorji for full prosecution of the case.
