Anambra: Court Reinstates Ilonze As President Of People’s Club, Sacks Ekedozie

By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha

An Idemili High court sitting in Ogidi and Presided over by Hon. Justice Peter Obiorah, has reinstated Chief Joseph I. Ilonze, as the President of People’s Club of Nigeria International and sacked Chief R.O.C Ekedozie, for forcefully taking over the Presidential seat when the tenure of Ilonze has not elapsed.

Recall that Ilonze and three others that included, Incorporated Trustees of People’s Club of Nigeria International, Chiefs Inyama Anthony and John Chuks Onwuazor, were the plaintiffs in the suit No. HID/274/2018.

The defendants were, Chiefs R.O.C. Ekedozie, Lawrence Arinze, Darlington Adibe, Elder Smart O. Ebere and Barr. Fidelis Onyebuchi.

After hearing the prayers of the plaintiffs in the suit which the defendants were severally conspicuously absent to defend their case, the Presiding Judge in his judgement declared that Ilonze was the duly elected National President of the club and that his tenure which was purportedly truncated by the defendants has not elapsed.

He declared further that the action of Chief Lawrence Arinze, in appointing Chief Ekedozie, as the National President of the club was illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional and that the action of the defendants in forcefully taking over possession of rooms 607, 608, 701, 805, 602 and 706 at the club’s guest house, block B, without permission and consent of the plaintiffs is illegal.

He also granted an order of injunction restraining the defendants, their servants, agents and previes from further interfering with the rights, duties, and functions of Ilonze as the duly elected President of the club.

The judge also made a consequential order that any purported election or appointment of National officers of the club conducted during the pendency of this case is hereby set aside, nullified and rendered ineffective and illegal.

He stated that Ilonze shall complete his tenure which was truncated by the action of the defendants and call for election as required by the club’s constitution even as he ordered #350,000 cost against the defendants as cost of action.

The judge had earlier, prior to delivering his judgement said that, “I am satisfied, based on the unchallenged evidence of the plaintiffs, that the plaintiffs have established their case. The deliberate absence and failure of the defendants to lead any contrary evidence is to my mind an admission that they have no genuine defence to the plaintiffs’ case.”

Expressing satisfaction on his victory during the first executive Central meeting, while addressing Newsmen at the club secretariat along Onitsha/Owerri road weekend, the National President, Ilonze, commended Justice Obiorah for delivering what he (Ilonze) described as, ‘land mark victory,’ pointing out that all the antics of the defendants were aimed at chasing the plaintiffs out of the club.

“With this victory, there is jubilation everywhere as the judgment marked the end of the embroidery thrust upon the club by the defendants who besieged the club with their cohorts and vandalized the entire place,” he further disclosed.

Reacting, counsel to the club, Barr. Jideofor Okongwu, stated that with the judgement, the crisis that befell the club has finally been concluded adding that this is the first judgement of the court since the case started about 2018.

The President at the middle, addressing the press