The police in Imo State have rearraigned a traditional ruler, HRH Eze Peter Ezechikere Njemanze, who is the head of Amawom Autonomous Community in Owerri Municipal Council before Chief Magistrate U.Adikaibe of the Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Owerri Magisterial District, on charges bordering on defamation, falsehood, conspiracy, rumour and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
Others rearraigned in court on Thursday alongside the traditional ruler as defendants are the Editor of a local tabloid, Emmanuel Madumere and columnist, Ikenna Onuoha.
Eze Njemanze was alleged to have conspired with two others to make defamatory publication against a former member of the 2004 National Conference and Scion of Njemanze dynasty Bob Kay Njemanze.
The police prosecutor, Doatus Iwu, a legal officer with the State CID had alleged that the traditional ruler and others on June 5, 2020 at Okigwe road, Owerri in the Owerri Magisterial District conspired to commit defamation, falsehood, conspiracy, rumour and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 517 of the Criminal Code,Cap “C38”, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 as applicable in Imo State.
Part of the charge read: That you Ikenna Onuoha a Columnist with Announcer Express of Announcer Newspapers (Nig.) LTD, HRH Eze Peter Ezechikere Njemanze and Emmanuel Madumere the Weekend Announcer Editor of Announcer Newspapers (Nig.) LTD on or about the 5th day of June, 2020 at Okigwe road Owerri ,in Owerri Magisterial District conspired amongst yourselves to commit offence and punishable under section 517 of the Criminal Code Cap “C38” Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 as applicable in Imo State.
That you Ikenna Onuoha a Columnist with Announcer Express, of Announcer Newspapers Nig LTD, HRH Eze Peter Ezechikere Njemanze and Emmanuel Madumere the Weekend Announcer Newspapers Nig LTD on the 5thday of June, 2020 at the same place in the aforesaid Magisterial District made defamatory publication in Announcer Express of Announcer Newspapers Nig LTD that Prince Bob Kay Njemanze’m’ is a bastard and fraudster, knowing same to be false, which is likely to injure his reputation by exposing him to hatred, contempt, or ridicule, or likely to damage him in his profession or trade and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 373 and punishable under section of the Criminal Code, Cap, “C38” Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 as applicable in Imo State.
The court had earlier issued a warrant of arrest for the Monarch who was absent when the case was called up on 9th March for hearing .The said warrant was subsequently set aside after the plea by the accused counsel.
The three defendants pleaded not guilty. They were subsequently admitted to bail and the matter adjourned to the 21st of April for hearing.