Businesswoman docked for allegedly abandoning husband, absconding with children

<p>A 44-year-old businesswoman, Edward Ogochukwu, was, on Tuesday, arraigned before an Upper Area Court, Gwagwalada, FCT, for allegedly abandoning her husband and absconding with his children and belongings.</p>, <p>The police charged Ogochukwu, who resides in Dagiri Gwagwalada, Abuja, with abandonment of spouse and theft.</p>, <p>The Prosecution Counsel, Abdullahi Tanko, told the court that the matter was reported at Gwagwalada police station by one Mr Tony Umegborodu on July 28.</p>, <p>Tanko said the complainant had, on July 27, upon his return from his brother’s house, discovered that his wife (defendant) had taken away his belongings.</p>, <p>He said the defendant made away with chairs and kitchen utensils (values yet unknown), an Itel cell phone, valued at N36,000 and cash of N850,000.</p>, <p>He said the defendant also left with their children to an unknown destination.</p>, <p>According to him, the offences contravene the provisions of Section 16 of Violence Against Persons (VAP) Act and Section 287 of the Penal Code.</p>, <p>The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against her.</p>, <p>The Judge, Abdullahi Abdulkarim, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N50,000, with one reasonable surety in like sum.</p>, <p>Abdulkarim said the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and adjourned the matter till Sept. 28 for hearing, NAN .</p>