The Chief Magistrate Court 1 in Aba South Local Government Area arraigned two men, Chidi Onyendi, 47, and Kalu Maduka, 76, on charges related to the theft of a 300KVA transformer valued at ₦14 million. The suspects were also accused of defrauding residents and issuing threats against community leaders who reported the crime.
Presiding over the case, Magistrate Erinma Maduagwu granted bail to Onyendi at ₦500,000, with conditions requiring a valid three-year tax clearance certificate and a surety owning property within the court’s jurisdiction. However, Onyendi remains in custody, unable to meet the bail terms at the time of this report.
The duo faced a three-count charge under case number MAS/85C/2025, filed by the Commissioner of Police. The charges include conspiracy, stealing, and criminal intimidation, stemming from events allegedly occurring on or before May 1, 2025, in the Egbelu Iheorji community, Aba South Magisterial District.
Authorities have recovered the stolen transformer, which was intended for a community electricity project, and it is now held at the Aba Area Command Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.
Community representatives Uzoma Cheta, Chairman of the Landlord and Tenant Association, and Uche Emmanuel, an executive member, lodged the complaint. They alleged that the accused threatened to deploy a vigilante group against them for reporting the theft, causing widespread fear among residents.
Sources within Egbelu Iheorji claim Onyendi has a history of fraudulent activities tied to the electricity project, including collecting funds from residents for a transformer that was never installed. Further accusations state that Onyendi failed to remit electricity bill payments to the distribution company, resulting in the community’s disconnection from the power grid.
The case, which has sparked outrage in the community, has been adjourned to June 19, 2025, for further hearing.
