Traditional stool: My opponent not qualified to contest, witness tells court in Anambra

By Our Reporter

One of the claimants to the traditional stool of Ojoto community, Idemili South local government area of Anambra state, Chief Dennis Okafor, has told the court that his rival ,Chief Gerald Mbamalu, is not qualified to contest the position in the first place.

Okafor, who was in the witness box at the Nnewi High Court,Tuesday, presided over by Justice Emeka Nri-Ezedi, said the constitution of the land said anyone who serves as regent will not contest the throne of Ojoto community

He said when the traditional ruler died in 2016, his opponent became the regent of the community.

He said, the position first disqualified him before the issue of the quarter whose turn it is to produce the traditional ruler comes up.

“And when it comes to that too, Gerald Mbamalu, is not qualified again”

The witness was being Cross examined by counsel to another claimant, Dr Jude Davis Mbamalu.

Again, Okafor, denied the knowledge of a letter from Enugo village to the government according to the lawyer, which alleged that one Edwin Umeghalu was trying to cause chaos in the community

He maintained that even if a letter was written from any quarter or group, that the people of Ojoto, had already crowned him and presented him to the local government chairman and the state government, while he was waiting for the staff of office.

Okafor, also denied knowledge of the community suing the state government because of the letter of May 17,2017, adding that it was the duty of the President General PG of the area to know, not himself

Meanwhile, during the continuation of the Cross examination Tuesday, the presiding Judge, Justice Nri-Ezedi warned counsel to stop putting unnecessary questions to witness

“Please, desist from inputting words the witness did not say. Reframe your questions and allow him to answer them ”

Before the witness mounted the box, the Judge had blasted some lawyers who come to court with different antics to delay proceedings.

He warned that lawyers should always prepare themselves adequately at all times before coming to court.

He told one of the lawyer, ” you always come here with excuses. You’re the reason why this case has stalled till date because you always come with delay tactics and I won’t tolerate it again.

“You must pay this 20,000 naira cost against your client before the next sitting, otherwise, this case will not continue “Nri-Ezedi fumed