From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Obi Amba-Ojong, 33, has been arraigned before a Calabar Magistrate Court for allegedly destroying police handcuffs after escaping from custody. The police accused Obi of breaking free from their grasp at Adijinkpor Junction/Army Checkpoint in Ikom Local Government Area, Cross River State, and damaging the handcuffs in the process.
He faces two counts: escaping from lawful custody and wilfully damaging police property. The charges are punishable under Section 135(a)&(b) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C16 Vol. III Laws of Cross River State 2004, and Section 451 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 16, Vol. III Laws of Cross River State 2004.
The charges against the accused read:
Count one: That you, Obi Amba-Ojong, on May 9, 2025, at Adijinkpor Junction/Army Checkpoint, Ikom, within the Calabar Magisterial District, did escape from lawful custody for a felonious offence.
Count two: That you, Obi Amba-Ojong, on the aforesaid date and place, did wilfully and unlawfully destroy and damage one handcuff, property of the Nigeria Police Force.
The presiding magistrate, Mercy Toney, granted Obi bail in the sum of N500,000 and adjourned the matter to June 11, 2025, for hearing.