Traditional ruler in court for allegedly plotting natives war

Tina Amanda

VINCENT IGWE, the newly selected traditional of Alakahia community in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State has been arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and promotion of native war.

His arrest on Saturday by men of the Rivers State Police Command led to a protest by women in the community who demanded his immediate release.

In the charges against IGWE, he is alleged to have conspired with others to commit felony and promote war against Eze DANIEL OGBONNA-DODO, Paramount Ruler of Alakahia community.

VINCENT IGWEl’s selection as the Paramount Ruler in Alakahia community in Obio/Akpor followed due traditional consultation by the elders of the community.

His arraignment was based on Rivers State Police Command investigation report on the order of the Magistrate Court.

Counsel to the accused, Elder DAVID ABOH asked the court to grant his client bail and promised to provide the right shortee.

ABOH based his accused argument on section one hundred and sixty-five, subsection one of the criminal law of Rivers State which grants the Chief Magistrate the power to grant bail to accused person especially when the charge against accused is not a capital offence punishable to dead.

Also Claimant counsel, S.A NDAH did not opposed to the bail application but requested for the accused to take an undertaken that he will be of good conduct which was opposed by the defendant counsel.

The chief Magistrate, O.J AMADI after listening to the counsels’ arguments in court, ordered the accused to swear an oath to maintain peace in the community and granted him bail with the sum of five million naira with two shortee.

Chief Magistrate, AMADI also ordered the rest accused people in the matter should submit themselves to the police for investigation or should report to the court on the 15th of July which is the next adjourned date.

Our reporter Tina Amanda observed that other accused people in the matter are, EMENIKE WORLU, NDIDI AMADI, EZE CHUKWUKA, Chief ROBINSON ABRAKA and the Paramount ruler of Akpor Kingdom, Eze ANELE ORLU-ORIEBE.