Court to rule on suspended Anambra monarch October 14

The Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice M. O. Anyachebelu, has fixed October 14, to deliver judgment on the case filed by the embattled traditional ruler of Nawfia Town in Njikoka Local Government Area, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo, challenging his suspension by Governor Willie Obiano.

Nwankwo was among 13 traditional rulers in the state who were suspended in August 2020 for travelling with oil magnate and philanthropist, Prince Arthur Eze to visit President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, without the authorisation of the governor.

Nwankwo had approached the court urging it to hold that the action of the state government was an infringement on his fundamental human right to freedom of movement as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) as well as the African Charter on Human Rights.

“We urge the court to interrogate whether the Anambra State government and the governor have the right under our laws and the African Charter on Human Rights to restrict the freedom of movement of any citizen of this state,” Ejiofor urged.

According to Ejiofor, the one-year suspension would elapse on August 11.

In a counter application on behalf of the Anambra State government, a principal state counsel from the office of the state Attorney General, Mr. I. J. Oguejiofor, urged the court to dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction to entertain the matter.