Vincent Ujumadu
21 May 2008
Awka — AN Ihiala High Court presided over by Justice C.E. Anigbogu yesterday ordered the remand of the secretary general of Ihiala Progress Union (IPU), Mr. Emeka Emejulu in Onitsha prison custody until June 3 for allegedly evading arrest.
Emejulu was arrested at the venue of the Anambra State election petition tribunal in Awka on May 16 as he came to felicitate with the member representing Ihiala federal constituency, Chief Chuma Nzeribe over his victory at the tribunal and has remained in detention at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Awka from where he was brought to court yesterday.
The order by the Judge followed a letter signed by Emejulu last year, alleging that the Judge received gratification over a land matter pending in his court.
"You were invited to appear in court on August 27, 2007 to explain the circumstances of the letter you wrote, but you ignored it. Even after I made several orders to that effect, you still failed to show up."
On November 5 last year, the judge made another order directing the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State to arrest the secretary general wherever he is found anywhere in Nigeria and to be detained until he is brought to court. Indeed, he adjourned the case sine die until Emejulu appeared in court.
Justice Anigbogu said yesterday that the secretary general should on the next adjourned date, explain why he should not be punished for the letter of April 14, 2007 which he signed.
Although a former president general of IPU, Chief P.N. Okuma who was in court when the order was made pleaded with the judge to tamper justice with mercy, his plea came late as the order has been made already by the judge.
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