The arraignment of Mazi Godwin Kanu Idei at the Magistrate Court in Umuahia, on charges of conspiracy, impersonation, and conduct likely to breach public peace related to the traditional ruler dispute in Arochukwu Kingdom, Arochukwu LGA of Abia State, has been indefinitely adjourned.
Kanu Idei was one of the two claimants to the Eze ARO stool in Arochukwu Kingdom until January 26, when the Abia government officially declared HRM Eze Eberechukwu Oji as the Eze ARO IX.
The trial Magistrate, Nkwachi Onwutuebe of Magistrate Court 9 Umuahia, announced the indefinite adjournment on Friday. This decision followed an application by the defendant challenging the legitimacy of his arraignment.
During the hearing on Friday, February 2, 2024, Counsel to the Abia State government, Earnest Ibelegbu, informed the court that the case had been taken over by the Abia State government from the police.
The defendant’s counsel, Jude Nwokoro, stated that the case was supposed to proceed, but they had filed a motion before the High Court seeking a review of the process that led to Godwin Kanu’s trial.
As a result, the court adjourned the matter indefinitely, as they await the High Court’s decision. Nwokoro explained that they aim to have the High Court strike out the criminal charges against Kanu, claiming the charges were incompetent.
Kanu was crowned as the Ninth King of Arochukwu Kingdom on October 20, 2023, by the traditional ruler of Ibom Isii, Kanu Nwa Kanu, leading to controversy in the kingdom. However, in mid-November 2023, the Royal Head of Arochukwu Kingdom, Oji Oji, and Kanu Okoro announced that Eberechukwu Oji, a prince of the kingdom, had been selected as the new monarch.
On January 26, 2024, the Abia State government presented a staff of office to the newly selected Eze Aro IX, HRM Eberechukwu Oji, following the affirmation by a panel constituted by the Abia State government, recognizing him as the duly qualified person for the crown.
