A 42-year-old man, Uche Ekpido, was on Thursday granted N2 million bail by an Abakaliki Magistrates’ Court for alleged cultism, threat to life at Obeagu community in Ebonyi.

Mr Ekpido was also alleged to have vandalised the transformer that supplied power to the community.

Mr Ekpido is facing a four-count charge bordering on cultism, conspiracy, threat to life and vandalism.

The prosecutor, Inspector Mathias Eze, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offences on September 24 at Obeagu-Aba Village in Abakaliki.

The prosecutor said that the transformer, whose cost was yet to be estimated, was the property of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).

Mr Eze said that the defendant allegedly belonged to an unlawful society called: Supreme Viking Confraternity.

He told the court that the defendant also intimidated and threatened Odoh Onyenuche by attempting to cut him with a machete.

Mr Eze said the offences were punishable under Section 86 (b) of the Criminal Code, Cap 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi state of Nigeria, 2009 and Section 39 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Mr Ekpido pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Counsel to the defendant, Sunday Ununu-Uguru, urged the court to grant his client bail in most liberal terms.

The magistrate, Blessing Chukwu, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N2 million with one surety in like sum.

Ms Chukwu adjourned the case until October 19 for hearing. 

(NAN)