By Tony Okafor, Awka
Wild jubilation erupted
at the Anambra State High Court as freed Chief Ezeilo, a factional monarch of Amanuke Community in Awka North Local Government Area of the state.
Ezebuilo, one of the claimants to the traditional ruler’s stool of the community, was remanded in prison for about seven days by court for not appearing in court on a billed date in the case between him and the Inspector General of Police bordering on leadership tussle .
But the court, presided over by Justice Charles Okaa granted the Abuja-based businessman N10m bail with two sureties, which would include one a civil servant from grade level 14 to 16 and the other resident of Awka with landed property with proven evidence of ownership and three years tax clearance.
The case was adjourned to July 14, 2023 for commencement of trial.
The jubilant locals who stormed the court premises with about five buses erupted in victory songs shortly after they heard their leader had been granted bail.
Speaking to reporters outside the court premises, a 78-year old man, Mayor Amanuke maintained that Ezebuilo remained the only recognized traditional ruler in the community.
He said,”The entire members of Amanuke community elected and crowned Chief Denis Ezebuilo their king. We don’t know any other person as king of the community.
“We’re happy that the man we chose as our king has been granted bail and we are solidly behind him,” he said.
Another septuagenarian, Chief Levi Anataba expressed joy over the bail, insisting they would not accept imposition of an unpopular monarch on them.
Anataba said,”We elected and crowned him the traditional ruler of the community before those who claimed to be powerful and wise changed the decision of the people because they are in government.
“They are working against the interest of the community and we cannot accept their imposition on us. We love Denis Ezebuilo and he is our king and not the one those in government gave certificate” he said.
Women leader of the Community, Mrs Ikejina Joy described Ezebuilo as the man of the people and chosen one the for the throne.
She said, “Our king is Chief Denis Ezebuilo. He has been a man of the people from his youth. We all agreed that his is our Eze and he is the only Eze in the community” she said.
Lawyer to Ezebuilo, Kenneth Onyekachi described the bail condition as stringent, but promised it would be fulfilled before end of the day(Tuesday)
