The Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has granted bail to an Nnewi-based native doctor, Ikechukwu Ezenagu, who is standing trial over alleged violations of the state’s Homeland Security Law, setting bail at N50 million with stringent conditions attached.
Justice Jude Obiora also ordered that Ezenagu must produce a surety in like sum and deposit the title documents of a property, which would be forfeited if he absconds from trial.
Obiora also imposed a restriction barring the defendant from granting press interviews during the pendency of the case, and held that the bail conditions were intended to ensure his availability for trial and compliance with court proceedings.
Delivering the ruling on Friday, the judge reaffirmed that the defendant had been admitted to bail in the sum of N50 million with a corresponding surety, stressing that the additional requirement of property documentation was a safeguard against any attempt to evade justice.
Lead counsel for the defendant, Kingsley Awuka, described the ruling as a favourable exercise of judicial discretion, noting that the bail terms were within the defendant’s capacity to fulfil.
He expressed optimism that the trial would proceed fairly and that justice would ultimately prevail.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Anambra State, Tobechukwu Nweke, is leading the prosecution in the matter, which centres on alleged breaches of provisions of the Anambra Homeland Security Law.
Ezenagu was arrested on March 26 by operatives of the state security outfit, Agunechemba, over allegations that he engaged in practices said to contravene the law, including allegedly promoting ritual-related activities aimed at wealth acquisition.
Following his arrest, security operatives reportedly searched his residence in Nnewi as part of ongoing investigations.
He was initially brought to court from a hospital on June 3, where his counsel applied for bail on health grounds and sought permission for him to remain in medical care pending further proceedings.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, urging the court to remand him in custody. He was subsequently held at the Amawbia Correctional Centre until Friday, June 19, when the court granted him bail.
State officials, including the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, had earlier alleged that the defendant encouraged youths to patronise him for ritual-based wealth practices, claims they said violated the Homeland Security Law after prior warnings were allegedly ignored.