By Okey Okey
A Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, presided over by Justice Hyeladzira Ajiya Nganjiwa, has remanded an Abuja based businessman, Chief Dennis Ezebuilo, in the police custody over an alleged impersonation as a traditional ruler.
Ezebuilo, who was arraigned on three count charges in a case filed against him by the Inspector General of Police, allegedly committed the offence against the Traditional Ruler of his community, Amanuke, Awka North Local Government Area (LGA), HRH Igwe Alphonsus Ezebuilo on December 31 and December 19, 2019.
According to the charges, the defendant impersonated as Igwe Amanuke both on the Internet and Amanuke community with intent to promote inter communal war thereby causing division among the populace, offences punishable under Section 42 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38 laws of the Federation, 2004.
But the defendant, Chief Ezebuilo, who is a cousin to the monarch pleaded not guilty to all the three charges brought against him and was remanded to the police custody as pleaded by his Counsel, Mr Okechukwu Otukwu.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr Marvelous Ezeakonobi from Force Headquarters, Abuja, earlier applied that the defendant be remanded in the Nigeria Correctional center, due to the nature of his case but it was not granted.
The honourable justice of the court, Hyeladzira Ajiya Nganjiwa, also adjourned the case to July 22 to enable the counsel to the defendant file necessary documents having rejected an oral application for bail of the defendant.
Speaking in an interview, the traditional ruler of Amanuke, HRH Alphonsus Ezebuilo, said he sought justice from the court because Anambra State Government duly certified him as Igwe on July 12, 2015 and he was congratulated by his cousin (the defendant) only for him to later start paying claim to the throne.
“I have been enduring him since because he is my relation. I decided to tame him with law to bring peace, and prevent possible break down of law and order. If I don’t do this it will look as if I am the one conniving with him. He goes about parading himself as Igwe even when he’s not. If you Google the Igwe of Amanuke, his name would pop out. This is the same man that congratulated me after I received my certificate of recognition as Igwe Amanuke,” he stated.