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Eight PDP chieftains docked over character defamation in Anambra

Eight chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra state, were on Thursday arraigned before the Magistrate Court 3 holden at the Nnewi magisterial district, Anambra state, over alleged conspiracy and character defamation.

A group, PDP Stakeholders Forum, in the area, had approached the court, alleging that some party chieftains in the area: Engr Joseph Ubah, Obinna Oguejiofor, Chinedu Ikemba, Chijojke Ofodile, Moses Anayo, Isaac Uchebuilo, Prince Samben Nwosu and Ernest Ajero, conspired among themselves to criminally defame their characters.

When the matter came up at the court, yesterday, the plaintiffs: Prince Chinedu Orizu, Hon Tempest Udeze, Dr Edwin Chukwuma, Prince Afam Orizu and Chief Eugene Okonkwo Nwizugbe, told the court that the defendants, who are also members of the party, in the area, went about in Nnewi, Abuja and other places, calling them criminals, who go about defrauding innocent citizens in the name of the party.

They said all the allegations levelled against them were false.

Lead counsel to the plaintiffs, Pascal Ugwuanyi, told the court that the allegations against his clients injured their reputations and exposed them to hatred, contempt and had ridiculed them before the public; adding that the offence was punishable under Section 496(a) of the Criminal Code cap 36, Vol. 11, Laws of Anambra state of Nigeria, 1991 as amended.

He also told the court that the 1st and 7th defendants, Joseph Ubah and Samben Nwosu respectively, could not be served hearing notice, and prayed the court to grant leave to the plaintiffs to effect the service of court process on them through substituted means.

The presiding magistrate, H.C Emekwue, after listening to the matter, ordered that the 1st defendant be served by pasting the notice at a conspicuous place within the court premises; while the 7th defendant, a public servant, should be served through the defendants’ counsel, M.N. Emecheta.

He adjourned the matter until July 21, 2020, for further mention.

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