Okorocha Vs 40 Monarchs: Court Fixes July 8 For Hearing

An Owerri High Court, presided over by Justice Ngozi Ukoha, on Tuesday, fixed July 8, 2015, for hearing, in a suit filed by 40 traditional rulers, against the Governor Rochas Okorocha, Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Ohiri and eight others.

The aggrieved 40 monarchs – including four already suspended by the state government in a suit no. HOW/313/2015 – approached the court to restrain Governor Okorocha, Eze Samuel Ohiri and their agents from withdrawing their certificate of recognition, staff of office or stoppage of their monthly salaries.

While ruling on the ex-parte application filed by the counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr. Ikechukwu Udeozor, Justice Ukoha ordered that the defendants should respect the pendency of the suit, because of sensitive nature of the matter.

She, therefore, granted the ex-parte application that service of summons to be pasted at the gates of the headquarters of the State Council of Traditional Rulers near Concorde Hotel, Owerri.

Those expected to be served with the substituted service include the 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th defendants, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Chairman of the Council, Eze Samuel Ohiri, Eze Edwin Orisakwe, Eze J.C. Okwara, Eze G. Ejiogu and Eze Ben. Igwilo.

The counsel to the monarchs, Mr. Udeozor had earlier pleaded with the court to grant the ex-parte application for substituted service from the originating summons together with interlocutory motion.

He prayed to the court that the service be pasted at the gates of the headquarters of the council of traditional rulers, since some of the defendants had been invading service. The counsel from the office of the State Attorney-General, Mr. Adindu did not oppose the application.

It would be recalled that the State Chairman of Traditional Ruler, Eze Ohiri had earlier suspended four royal fathers including Eze Emmanuel Njemanze of Owerre Ancient Kingdom, Eze Desmond Ogugua, Eze Edward Njoku and Eze Sunday Okoro, while over 60 monarchs have been pencilled down to face disciplinary panel for receiving former President Goodluck Jonathan in Owerri in March.

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