A Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, has freed the factional monarch of Amanuke community, Dennis Ezeilo in the Awka North Local Government Area of the state after seven days in police custody.
He was remanded about a week ago by
Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa
for allegedly impersonating another contender of the stool in community.
The charges against him read“That you Dennis Ezebuilo on or about the 31st day of December, 2019 at Amanuke in Awka North LGA of Anambra State within the jurisdiction of this court did unlawfully and with intent to promote inter communal war incites some members of Amanuke community into believing you as His Royal Highness (Ogbodudu II) of the community by bringing division amongst the entire Amanuke community thereby commit an offence punishable under Section 42 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38 laws of the Federation, 2004.”
“That you Dennis Ezebuilo on or about the 19th day of December, 2019 at Amanuke in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State within the jurisdiction of this court unlawfully claims to be the legitimate traditional ruler of Amanuke community as against the decision of the Anambra State government and further incites some class of persons against the legitimately recognised Traditional Ruler of the community, His Royal Highness Igwe Alphonsus Ezebuilo and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 42 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38 laws of the federation, 2004.”
“That you Dennis Ezebuilo on or about the 19 day of December 2019 at Amanuke in Awka North LGA of Anambra State within the jurisdiction of this court did unlawfully impersonate as His Royal Highness (Ogbodudu II) of Amanuke community, knowing it to be false and puts as such via Internet and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 42 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38 laws of the Federation, 2004.”
When the matter came up on Friday, Ezeilo’s counsel , Arthur Obi- Okafor, SAN, moved a motion for his bail, stating his client’s case was bailable .
The prosecuting counsel, Sylvester Nwobodo, who did not opposed the bail application asked the court to cause the defendant (Ezeilo) to be of good conduct and avoid inciting members of his community against the plaintiff.
Nwobodo said, ” My Lord while I will not oppose the bail application because of justice and fairness, I would enjoin the court to caution the defendant to be of good conduct and stop inciting members of his community against the plaintiff, while on bail.
“My Lord, I say this because while the defendant was in detention what his loyalists were publishing was that he was kidnapped. This is unacceptable.
In his ruling, Justice Nganjiwa granted the defendant bail at the sum of N50m on self recognizance, and enjoined him to depose an affidavit of good conduct as part of the conditions for his bail.
The matter was adjourned to 14th October for further hearing.
Pro-Ezeilo protesters, mostly women, who were outside the court premises went into wild jubilation on hearing that their leader had been freed.
