Justice Nganjiwa Ajiya of the Federal High Court sitting in Awka has remanded one Chief Dennis Ezebuilo of Enugu Village Amanuke, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State in Police custody, pending hearing of his bail application.
Chief Ezebuilo was arraigned at the Court on three count charges bothering on impersonation of the traditional ruler of Amanuke, Igwe Alphonsus Ezebuilo, as against the decision of the Anambra State Government and inciting people against the Traditional ruler of the community.
Correspondent Joseph Egbeocha reports that the offences are punishable under section forty-two of the Criminal code Act, Cap C38 Laws of the Federation, 2004
In his ruling after listening to arguments from the Prosecution and Defense Counsels, Justice Ajiya adjourned the matter to 22nd July for hearing of bail application of the defendant.
Speaking to newsmen after the ruling, the Prosecution Counsel, Barrister Magnus Ezeakonobi of the Legal Department, Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, argued that the Court was right in remanding the accused, as according to him, Federal High Court, being a superior Court of record, cannot entertain bail application orally.
The Traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Alphonsus Ezebuilo, who said he was recognised as Igwe Amanuke on 12th July 2015, from when the contender, Chief Dennis Ezebuilo had continued to parade himself as the Igwe, explained that his silence over the matter would appear as willful connivance.
Also speaking, a former President-General of Amanuke Development Union, Pharmacist Paul Enemuo, who claimed he crowned Igwe Alphonsus Ezebuilo, and the incumbent Vice President-General of the community, Chief Charles Nnanwube, claimed the contender did not follow due process laid down by the Amanuke General Assembly.
On his part, a member of Amanuke community, Barrister Jonas Okolo, who said he chaired a Committee that screened and produced Chief Dennis Ezebuilo as Igwe Amanuke in 2014, blamed select individuals from the community for the feud, even as he appealed to members of the community to remain calm in the prevailing circumstances.
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