Police Arraign Ex- Enugu Commissioner In Court Over False Information

Posted by African Examiner Enugu, Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Friday, September 30th, 2016

By Ignatius Okpara

ENUGU, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Enugu State Police Command on Thursday arraigned the former Commissioner for Works, Transport and Special Duties in the state, Engr. Luke Mammel before an Enugu-East Magistrate Court for giving false information to the Police.

Mammel, who is the current Director of Works & Services at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, served under the immediate past administration of ex- Governor Sullivan Chime.

He is facing a one count charge before Chief Magistrate A. C. Mba of Enugu-East Magisterial district with charge No. CME/483C/2016. The matter is between him and Enugu state Commissioner of Police.

The charge reads thus:“That you Engr. Luke Mmamel ‘M’ on the 22nd day of June, 2015, at Police Headquarters Enugu in the Enugu Magisterial District, did make false statement to the Commissioner of Police Enugu State an officer employed in the public service with intention to causing one Basil Offoh to be arrested and detained by the Commissioner of Police Enugu State, which you knew to be false and believed to be untrue and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 154(1)a) of the Criminal Code Cap.30. Vol.II, Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.”

However, the accused pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to his understanding; to the satisfaction of the court and opted for summary trial.

The court granted bail to the suspect in the sum of N2 million and one surety in like sum.

According to the court, “the Surety must be a civil servant of grade level 15 and above and reside within the jurisdiction of the court”.

Mmamel had on 22/06/2015, 04/07/2015 and 23/10/2015 respectively petitioned the Commissioner of police against one Basil Offoh, his Administrative Secretary, alleging that the Honda Accord vehicle purchased for the Rector, of IMT by Mr. Offoh, out of pocket expenditure was missing.

He stated that all efforts made to get him to produce the vehicle proved abortive, adding that the payment voucher for the out of pocket expenditure for the purchase of the. Said vehicle was also missing.

Mmamel concluded in the petition that it was a general feeling that no such vehicle was purchased and called on the Police commissioner to investigate the missing or alleged fraud.

But, contrary to the petitioners’ claim, police investigation revealed that the vehicle was actually purchased and the petitioner was in the known.

The court has adjourned the case till 19th October, 2016 for hearing.