Maduako Igbokwe I Tuesday, June 20, 2023
AWKA, Anambra – Members of Amanuke Community in Awka North of Anambra State on Tuesday erupted into jubilation as the person they claimed is their chosen king , Chief Denis Ezebuilo was granted bail by State High Court, Awka.
The members of the community who came into the court premise with about five buses of 24 seaters started singing victory songs immediately they heard that the court has granted him bail.
Ezebuilo, one of the claimants to the Traditional Ruler’s stool of Amanuke Community , Awka North of the state was remanded on 15th June 2023 in Awka Correctional Center for not showing appearance in the case between him and Inspector General of Police bordering on Ezeship tussle in his community ,since 2022.
Anambra State High Court presided by Justice Charles Okaa granted the Abuja based businessman Chief Denis Ezebuilo on Tuesday bail in the sum of N10 million and two sureties in like sum.
Speaking during the celebration, a 78 year man , Mayor Amanuke told our reporter that they have only one Traditional Ruler in the person of Chief Denis Ezebuilo and no other person. According to him,the entire members of Amanuke community elected and crowned Chief Denis Ezebuilo their king and no other person.
“We don’t know of any person as king of Amanuke Community” he said. He said that they are happy that the person they chose as their king has been granted bail and they are solidly behind him.
Another elder, Chief Levi Chikwazie Anataba, 76 years, said “We are happy that our traditional ruler has been granted bail. We elected and crowned him the traditional ruler of the community before those who claimed too powerful and wise changed the wisdom of the people because they are in government.
“They are working against the interest of the community and we cannot accept their imposition on us. We love Denis Ezebuilo and he is our king and not the one those in government gave certificate” he said.
The women leader of the Amanuke Community, Mrs Ikejina Joy also stated that they have only one king which is Chief Denis Ezebuilo. She expressed joy over his bail, noting that nothing can stop them from supporting the person they crowned king.
According to her, he is the man of the people and the chosen one for the throne .
“Our king is Chief Denis Ezebuilo,from his youth, he is a man of the people. We all agreed that he is our Eze and he is the only Eze in the community” he said.
Ezebuilo in a charge No A/26c/2022, was alleged to have unlawfully proclaimed himself the Eze elect , unlawfully claimed the legitimate traditional ruler and also portrayed himself as the Traditional Ruler of Amanuke Community , offences punishable under section 19 (a) of Traditional Rulers laws No 14 of 2981 of Anambra State.
Appearing before Anambra High Court , the lawyer to the defendant, Kenneth Onyekachi applied for his bail application which complainant’s lawyer , Mr Stanley Nwaudo did not object.
Nwaudo said that they are only interested in the full trial of the case , noting that detention should not serve as punishment.
According to him, the case is seriously that cannot be treated with levity .The presiding judge, Hon Justice Charles Okaa granted the application for bail in the sum of N10 million, with two sureties in like sum.
He said one of sureties should be a civil servant between 14 to 16 grade while the other should be a resident of Awka with landed property with evidence of ownership and three years tax clearance . The case was adjourned to 14th July 2023 for the commencement of trial.
Speaking to journalists after the Court, lawyer to Ezebuilo, Barr Onyekachi said the condition was stringent but promised that it would be fulfilled before end of the day.
However some of the members of Amanuke Community who were in court premises in their hundreds said they only know Denis Ezebuilo and no other person.
