Court fixes October 14 for ruling on suspension of Nawfia monarch
[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]
High Court sitting in Akwa, the Anambra State capital, has fixed October 14, 2021, for judgment on a suit challenging the one year suspension of the traditional ruler of Nawfia Community, Eze Chijioke Nwankwo, from his throne, by the State Governor, Mr Willie Obiano.
Chief Nwankwo had filed a suit challenging his suspension by the Governor, for travelling out of the State without approval of the State government.
Justice M.O Anyachebelu after entertaining both oral and written argument of Counsels of both parties fixed October 14, for judgement.
Nwankwo was one of the 13 traditional rulers in the Anambra State who were suspended last year by the State government for accompanying Prince Arthur Eze to visit President Muhammadu Buhari in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Barrister Nnaemeka Ejiofor, Counsel to Chief Nwankwo in his argument, urged the Court to hold that action of the State government was an infringement on his fundamental human right to freedom of movement as guaranteed under the Nigerian constitution 1999 (as amended) as well as African Charter on Human Rights.
“We urge the Court to interrogate whether the Anambra state government, and, the Governor have the right under our laws, and, African Charter on Human Rights to restrict the freedom of movement any citizen of this state”, he argued.
However, Barrister M.I.Oguejiofor, a Principal State Counsel from the office of the State Attorney General, in his argument urged the Court to hold that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, and should accordingly, strike it out.
