From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
A Magistrate Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia State has adjourned sine-die a criminal case brought by the state government against a claimant to the traditional stool of Arochukwu kingdom Mazi Godwin Kanu Idei.
Mazi Idei was charged to court on a three count charge of impersonation and conduct likely to cause breach of peace and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516A (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 80, Vol. 3 Laws of Abia State of Nigeria, 2005.
When the case was first mentioned in January, after pleading not guilty to the charges, the court granted Idei bail and adjourned it to February 2.
On resumption on Friday, the presiding magistrate of court 3, Nkwachi Onwutebe, adjourned the matter sine-die.
The adjournment was sequel to the defence counsel’s (Jude Nwaokoro) information to the court that the defendant has applied to the High Court, seeking a judicial review of the matter.
He urged the court to stay action on the matter pending the decision of the High Court on the matter.
The prosecutor, a state counsel, Earnest Ibenegbu did not object to the defence counsel’s submission, the presiding magistrate adjourned the matter sine-die.
In adjourning the matter, Onwutebe said, “the court will be happy to know the outcome of the judicial review.”
Speaking shortly after the court hearing Nwaokoro, said his client approached the High Court to challenge his trial by the State Goverment.