The Ojoto Chief Magistrate Court, Ojoto Magisterial District, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State has issued a bench warrant against Chief Dennis Adindu Okafor of Enugo village, Ojoto for failing to appear in court on a case brought against him by the state police command.

According to the court record, the bench warrant was issued, after a complaint on oath was made against the defendant on August 9, 2022 at Ojoto by the prosecution due to the defendant’s total neglect to appear and defend himself in the criminal case despite being duly served with the court process.

The bench warrant with Charge No. Mco/39c/2022, dated 9th day of August 2022, reads thus, “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 honourable court to answer to a charge against you. You thereby committed an offense punishable under Section 160(1) 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 August 30, 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,” it said.

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 Court therefore commanded the prosecution to bring the defendant before the Magistrate Court of the Ojoto Magisterial District sitting at Ojoto forthwith to answer to the said charge.

It will be recalled 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 recognised traditional ruler of Ojoto, in the person of Igwe Gerald Mbamalu, who had a certificate of recognition from Anambra State Government and was dragged to Court on one count under Charge No.Mco/ 34c/2022.

The charge read, “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 recognised 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 PUNCH)

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