Ezeilo’s supporters
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A Federal High Court sitting in Awka,
Anambra State, has freed a factional
traditional ruler of Amanuke
community, Dennis Ezeilo, after he
spent seven days in police custody.
The defendant was remanded a week
ago by Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa for
allegedly impersonating another
contender to the stool in the
community.
The charges against him read in part,
“That you, Dennis Ezebuilo, on or about
December 31, 2019, at Amanuke, in the
Awka North Local Government Area of
Anambra State, within the jurisdiction
of this court, did unlawfully and with
intent to promote inter-communal war,
incite some members of Amanuke
community into believing you are His
Royal Highness (Ogbodudu II) of the
community by bringing division among
the entire Amanuke community,
thereby committing an offence
punishable under Section 42 of the
Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38 Laws of the
Federation, 2004.”
When the matter came up on Thursday,
Ezeilo’s counsel, Arthur Obi-Okafor
(SAN), moved a motion for his bail.
Obi-Okafor contended that his client
was a well respected community leader
who would not jump bail.
The prosecuting counsel, Sylvester
Nwobodo, did not oppose the bail
application.
He said, “My Lord, while I will not
oppose the bail application because of
justice and fairness, I will 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.”
In his ruling, Justice Nganjiwa granted
the defendant bail in the sum of N50m
on self recognizance, and enjoined him
to depose to an affidavit of good
conduct as part of his bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned till October
14 for further hearing.
Ezeilo’s supporters, mostly women, who
were outside the court premises, went
into wild jubilation on hearing that their
leader had been freed.