Anambra ‘monarch’ gets bail after seven-day detention

Ezeilo’s supporters ADVERTISEMENT 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.