..throws out Iwuchukwu’s petition

By Chukwudi Ebele

It was jubilation galore in Onitsha. Anambra State, when the news filtered into the ears of constituents that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, and Presided over by Hon. Justice M.G. Umar, has affirmed Hon. Engr. Emeka Idu, currently representing Onitsha North and South Federal constituency, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress. NDC candidate winner, in a petition filed by his arch rival, Abada Iwuchukwu, to the court.

The Court having looked into the petition and submissions of counsels to both the plaintiff and respondent, ruled the result tendered by the petitioner was inadmissible and that he failed to prove he won the May 29 primary election.

Recall that Abada Iwuchukwu has challenged the outcome of the NDC primary election for the Onitsha North/South Federal Constituency of Anambra State.

Delivering judgment in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1257/2026, Justice Umar held that the petition lacked merit.

The petitioner, Iwuchukwu, sued Hon Idu, the NDC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying he won the primary election.

The court ruled that the result Mr. Iwuchukwu tendered in support of his claim was inadmissible adding also that without it, he was unable to prove that he won the primary conducted on May 29, 2026.

Justice Umar consequently affirmed Hon. Idu, the member currently representing Onitsha North/South Federal Constituency, the winner of the said primary election.

Meanwhile, from last Friday when the court affirmed Idu winner of the suit till now, it has been celebration galore in the constituency by constituents who described Idu as God-sent to curtail their hardship.

According to a constituent who identified himself as Okeke Onyeife. “We will vote Idu again because of his achievements in the area. He is not the talking type but believes in Eye mark not Ear mark”.

Also another resident. Omenyi Madu, stated that “It is Emeka Idu, Sen. Tony Nwoye and Peter Obi that we know, every other candidate is not for us, constituents. Others are selfish people,” he maintained.

By Our Reporter

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has challenged the 14-year prison sentence imposed on a Christian woman, Lami Dawa, over allegations that she converted an adult Muslim woman to Christianity in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The association said it had filed an appeal against the conviction and expressed concern over Dawa’s continued detention, calling for the protection of religious freedom and the fundamental rights of all individuals.

CAN National President, Daniel Okoh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, saying the association was closely monitoring the case and would pursue the matter through appropriate legal and institutional channels.

Dawa was reportedly convicted in May 2026 by a Borno State High Court judge, A. B. Kumdila, on five counts bordering on child abduction, removal from parental custody, denial of education, and interference with religious practice and conversion.

Reacting to the development, Okoh said the circumstances surrounding the case raised important constitutional questions, particularly regarding the freedom of individuals to choose and practise their religion.

“The Association is particularly concerned by reports that the case arose from circumstances involving the conversion of an adult woman to Christianity, although the precise facts and legal basis of the conviction are still being verified,” the statement reads.

“An appeal has been filed and CAN is committed to allowing the judicial process to run its course.

“The Association believes that every individual has the right to freely choose, change or practise their religion or belief without coercion, intimidation or unlawful punishment.”

The CAN president urged relevant authorities to ensure that the rights of everyone involved in the matter were respected and that the case was handled in line with the provisions of the Constitution and applicable laws.

He added that the association would continue to follow developments in the case while engaging relevant authorities through established legal and institutional processes

By Chukwudi Ebele

An Anambra High Court sitting at Nnewi and Presided over by Hon. Justice B.A. Ogbuli, has sacked Dr. Gregory Nwokaha from parading himself as the Oluoha (traditional ruler) of Mbosi. Ihiala Local Government Area.

The court also declared that the Oluoha stool of Mbosi is rotational among the three quarters of Mbosi and not a hereditary right of any quarters or village in Mbosi community

The judge further declared that, “I declare that it is the turn of Ihiteoha quarters of Mbosi comprising, Ubahinnaka, Ogwugwuekwe, Umuezike and Agunnaga villages to present the next Oluoha (traditional ruler) of Mbosi.

“The 1st defendant (Dr.Gregory Nwokaha) is hereby restrained from parading himself as Igwe Oluoha-elect or Igwe Oluoha of Mbosi on the basis of the purported election/selection made by Ichie Peter Okafor and Mr Cyril Mbachu respectively, (1st set of defendants), on 27/04/2023”.

However no cost was awarded to both the plaintiffs and defendants by the Presiding judge.

The judge handed down the judgment after hearing the submissions of counsels to the paintiffs/defendants and citing some legal authorities to back up his judgment.

Smart Obi Esq was for the plaintiffs, A.C. Obiajulu Esq (with C.M. Obijagwam Esq) for the 1st -4th defendants and A.C. Anaenugwu Esq. SAN (with N.D. Nnodum Esq and P.C. Afuba Esq), for the 5th and 6th defendants.

Recall that the 2nd set of defendants in the suit, Ozo Augustine Onyekwere and Mr Aloysius Eze, (for themselves and on behalf of members of Umueze village. Isu-Mbosi quarters. Mbosi), during the hearing of the suit, told the court that the Oluoha stool of Mbosi was hereditary and not rotational and only people of Umueze (descendants of Dara Ezenyi) are enthroned Oluoha of Mbosi.

They averred also that one late Okwereogu from Mkpo Ehihe village Mbosi, was never an Oluoha but a tax collector who was convicted in 1917 by the customary court Oguga Ihiala, over alleged misappropriation of tax collected by him and extortion.

The Presiding judge while reacting to the said imprisonment of Okwereogu in his judgment said. “No doubt. Okwereogu might have been a warrant chief and imprisoned by the government but that did not make him any less a traditional ruler of Mbosi.

“In exhibit D23, at the last page, he was referred to as ‘Head Chief’, who was imprisoned for extortion in April 1917,” the judge recalled.

The plaintiffs in the suit included, Chief P. C. Adione, Mr. Titus Afumire (for themselves and on behalf of members of Ubahinnaka village, Ihite quarters, Mbosi, Ihiala local Government Area),

Other plaintiffs were, Ichie Christopher Muoka Obijekwu, Mr Celestine Nwachukwu (for themselves and on behalf of members of Ogwugwuekwe village. Ihiteoha quarters. Mbosi. Ihiala Local Govt Area), Ichie Simon Udegbe and sir G.O.C. Obiwulu(for themselves and on behalf of members of Agwunnagu village. Ihiteoha quarters, Mbosi Ihiala local govt Area).

Fielding questions from newsmen outside the court hall shortly after the judge delivered his judgment, an indigene of Mbosi, Okeke Nwachukwu, said it was an abomination for the descendants of Okwereogu to organise remembrance ceremony for Okwereogu, having been a convict over criminal act.

“They can’t deceive the people of Mbosi and entire Ihiala people with their remembrance ceremony distraction because we know their history,” Okeke alleged.