Ezeogo Itim: Judge Warns Parties To Stay Action.

By Oko Ibiam
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October 24, 2023 is the new date for hearing in the legal action taken against the Afikpo Local Government Chairman, Hon. Uchenna Nnajiofor Ibiam and his supporters who subverted the selection exercise of Ezeogo Itim Autonomous Community in Afikpo North LGA of Ebonyi State. Recall that on September 09, 2023, Mr. Ibiam stormed Ogo Mgbom, venue of the selection exercise, with heavily armed soldiers, police and other security personnel and physically took over the conduct of the selection exercise to the chagrin and resistance of the people.

The council chairman, in collaboration with one of the state Assembly representatives of Afikpo people, Mr. Ukie Ezeali, alongside their collaborators, hijacked the exercise with the aim of imposing their political lackey, Mr. Mbe Chukwu, as the traditional ruler of Itim Community.

Speaking at the court sitting on Tuesday, 10th October, 2023 at High Court 1, Afikpo, the Judge, Hon. Justice Vincent N. Nwanchor, charged the counsels of the respondents to be a little more diligent in the matter, wondering why a lawyer will furnish a memorandum of appearance and abscond from the sitting. Hon. Justice Nwanchor had on the first day of the case warned the lawyers to advise their clients to stay further action on the Ezeogo matter since the matter had become sub judice. He warned that anyone caught parading himself as Ezeogo of Itim autonomous community would be offending the law.

The court was packed full and the sitting made lively with witty cracks and humorous exchanges among the counsels and the judge.

Present in the Court at the sitting were counsels to the plaintiff, Barr. Ibiam Ibe Enwo and Mike Inya Igbo; counsel to Itim Traditional Council of Elders, Barr. Ewa Agha Ewa; and the counsel for the Local Government Chairman, Barr. Christian Inya Idam, who also announced that he was equally standing in brief for Barr. Igu. Egwu, counsel to Mr. Mbe Chukwu.

Also in court were Kpoghirikpo women who came in their numbers to show solidarity for Kpoghirikpo and Nze Okpani Nkama Jnr. whois Kpoghirikpo's chosen nominee and popular choice of the people for Ezeogo of Itim Autonomous Community.

Hopefully, hearing on the motion is expected to begin in earnest on the 24th October, 2023 when the sitting was adjourned to.