Chief Magistrate’s Car Stolen Outside Court Premises in Umuahia, Police Launch Investigation

A Chief Magistrate serving in Abia State has been left in shock after her vehicle was reportedly stolen in broad daylight from outside a court premises in Umuahia, the state capital.

The stolen vehicle belongs to Chief Magistrate Mrs. Ngozi Pearl Lekwa of Court 2, Umuahia, who has appealed to members of the public to assist security agencies with any information that could lead to its recovery.

According to Mrs. Lekwa, the incident occurred on Tuesday after she parked her black Toyota Corolla outside the court complex along Finbarrs Road before proceeding to her office to carry out her official duties.

She explained that she arrived at the court premises at about 9:00 a.m. and left her vehicle in its usual parking spot before heading into the office. However, when she stepped out shortly after noon with the intention of attending to some personal matters, she discovered that the car had vanished.

The magistrate immediately began making inquiries about the vehicle’s whereabouts, fearing that it may have been stolen.

Narrating her ordeal, Mrs. Lekwa revealed that a friend later contacted her with information that could be relevant to the investigation. According to the friend, she had spotted the vehicle being driven at high speed shortly after it exited the vicinity of Market Square in Umuahia.

The witness reportedly observed a man behind the steering wheel but did not see Mrs. Lekwa in the vehicle.

Believing that the driver might have been carrying out an errand on behalf of the magistrate, the witness did not initially suspect anything unusual, although she was said to be concerned about the speed at which the vehicle was being driven.

The vehicle was reportedly seen heading toward the Bende Road axis before disappearing from sight.

Mrs. Lekwa stated that she had not authorised anyone to use the car and was still in possession of the vehicle’s key when she discovered the theft, making the circumstances surrounding the incident even more puzzling.

In what she described as a painful twist of fate, the magistrate disclosed that she had only recently taken steps to improve the security of her vehicles.

According to her, she had ordered two steering locks as an added anti-theft measure. However, while one of the security devices was delivered, the second steering lock intended for the stolen vehicle had not yet arrived before the incident occurred.

The stolen vehicle has been identified as a black Toyota Corolla, 2008 model, popularly referred to by many motorists as a “bank car.”

The vehicle’s details are as follows:

* Registration Number: AA579NBB

* Engine Number: 2565542

* Chassis Number: JTDR22E1D0247899

Mrs. Lekwa confirmed that the theft was promptly reported to the police, who have since commenced investigations into the matter.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Abia State Police Command, DSP Maureen Chinaka, stated that the case had been officially reported and that detectives were already working to recover the vehicle and identify those responsible.

She assured residents that the command is treating the matter with urgency and has activated necessary investigative procedures to track down the suspects.

The police further appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and report any useful information that could assist investigators.

Authorities believe that public cooperation may prove crucial in locating the vehicle and ensuring the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the theft.

Residents have been advised to immediately contact the nearest police station if they sight the vehicle or obtain any information regarding its whereabouts.

The incident has once again highlighted concerns over vehicle theft and security around public institutions, with many residents calling for increased surveillance and enhanced security measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.