A Magistrate court sitting in Ojoto Magisterial District, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State has ordered immediate arrest of an acclaimed monarch, Dennis Adindu Okofor for failure, neglect to appear in court to answer a criminal charge filed against him.
It was gathered that the suspect, a native of Enugo village in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, claimed to be a monarch.
Okofor’s arrest, was contained in charge No. MCO/34c/2022, dated the 9th day of August 2022, wherein he was accused of neglecting to appear before the magistrate court to answer for a criminal case filed against him.
According to the charge, “Complaint on oath has been made on the hereinafter called the defendant on 9th day of August 2022 at Ojoto in the Magisterial District aforesaid, did fail to appear before this Hon. Court to answer to a charge against you. You thereby committed an offense punishable under Section 162(b) of the Criminal Cap 36.
“And the defendant was thereupon summoned to appear before the Magistrate’s Court of the Ojoto Magisterial District sitting at Ojoto on the 30th day of August 2022 at the hour of 9.00 in the fore noon to answer to the said charge. An oath has been made that the defendant was duly served with summons but did not appear and that such a complaint is true”. The court document stated.
“But showing deficient in the proceedings on the case after several adjournments, Okafor, it was learned decided and towed the part capable of bringing anarchy and disorderliness in Ojoto Community, and this made the prosecution to sought for bench warrant from the same Court and their prayer was granted.”
The Magistrate Court, therefore commanded the prosecutor to bring the defendant before the Magistrate’s Court of the Ojoto Magisterial District sitting at Ojoto forthwith to answer to the said Charge.
Recall that, Chief Okafor is facing a criminal case of portraying and parading himself as the traditional ruler of Ojoto Community, wherein he knew that there had been a recognized traditional ruler of Ojoto, in the person of H.R.H, Igwe Gerald Mbamalu, who had a certificate of recognition from Anambra State Government.
The charges revealed further that: “That you, Dennis Adindu Okafor of Enugo village in Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State, on or about December 2021 at Ojoto within the jurisdiction of this honorable court did intentionally hold yourself out as well as portraying yourself as the traditional ruler of Ojoto, wherein you knew that there had been a recognized traditional ruler of Ojoto, in the person of H.R.H, Igwe Gerald Mbamalu who had a certificate of recognition from Anambra State Government. You thereby committed an offense punishable under Section 18(b) of the Traditional Rulers Law of Anambra State 2007” the charges noted.
