Court reschedules hearing on Cross River Ohanaeze leadership dispute

[From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar]

High Court in Calabar, Cross River State, presided over by Justice Bassey Ebuta has rescheduled hearing in the charge against Ugorji Nwabueze, one of the claimants to the leadership of the organisation.

The case with Suit No. HC/82C/2021 is between the Inspector General of Police and Ugorji Nwabueze.

Nwabueze is also a senior aide to the Cross River Governor, Professor Ben Ayade and is recognised as a leader of Igbo community by the government.

This is however disputed by other sections of Ndigbo in the state leading to the election of Festus Odemene as leader of the Igbo in the state.

While Igbo indigenes in Cross River recognise Odemene as their leader, the state government recognises Nwabueze in that capacity.

The matter was adjourned till today to enable the prosecution properly serve the defendant.

However during proceedings, counsel to the defendant, Professor Jacob Abiodun Dada questioned the jurisdiction of the court and told the judge that the condition precedent for the activation of the suit was not met.

Justice Ebuta subsequently adjourned the case to 24 of this month to entertain the objections to the suit.

Speaking after the adjournment, the defence counsel said what is required by the law should be done.

According to Professor Dada, “The condition precedent for the activation of the suit was not satisfied before today

“So our position simply is that they should do what is required by the law before we can proceed , he cannot even be arraigned until the condition has been satisfied.

“For instance, notice of hearing or of trial ought to have been prepared or issued.

“It has not been prepared let alone issued on the defendant so there is no way the defendant who is no where the defendant who is not aware of where he will be arraigned will make himself available for arraignment”, he said.

The prosecution counsel and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Alex Ewa declined comments on the case.

He said the matter is sub judice and he does not want to engage in media trial.

On his part, the legal Adviser to Ohaneze Kingsley Kalu who held a watching brief of the case said the defendant is being charged for forgery, false information and criminal defamation.

Ohaneze Ndigbo in the state has been enmeshed in a leadership dispute for  some time now.