Enugu – A magistrate in Oji River, Enugu State, Mrs Ifeoma Nnaji, died in the early hours of Wednesday while in prison custody in Enugu, prison sources said.

Nnaji and her husband, Ifeanyichukwu, both of Ibagwa Nike in Enugu East Local Government Area, were remanded in prison custody for allegedly giving false information to the police, stealing and attempted murder.

They were remanded by another magistrate, Mr Chuks Mba, who agreed with the police prosecutor, Mr Peter Eze, that everyone was equal before the law.

The prosecutor had told the court that the accused were arrested for allegedly attempting to kill one Peter Okoro, their tenant, by raising a false alarm and calling an unidentified military man who unlawfully shot him.

Eze also alleged that the accused stole one Tecno F8 phone worth N35,000 belonging to Okoro.

He said the accused also gave false information to the police that Okoro and one Kingsley Ominyi entered her house with a gun and held her family hostage while demanding for money.

A prison source said the deceased fell ill on Tuesday and visited the prison clinic for treatment but was found dead on her bed in the prison on Wednesday.

The Controller of Prisons in the state, Mr Aloy Uchenwa, said he was busy when the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) visited his office for confirmation.

Magistrates who were in a conference with a non-governmental organisation, Justice for All, expressed shock over the death of their colleague.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the late magistrate was serving a suspension following a case of child abuse involving her house servant.

– NAN