In a High Court case hearing in Anambra State presided over by Justice David Onyefulu, the assembled were told that Chief Jacob Arinze, a litigant, who filed a suit against the traditional ruler of Awka community, Igwe Obi Gibson Nwosu, was a ‘ghost’.
It was revealed that the litigant died 15 years before the suit was filed by a family member.
A 78-year-old witness, Anthony Arinze, testified that Chief Oyeoka Jacob Arinze, was his uncle who died on October 18, 2003.
“And he was interred on November, 21, 2003 at his compound, No 2 Muofunanya Street, Nkwelle-Awka.
“In the foregoing, he (the deceased) could not have originated or participated in the said suit since he was dead and buried more than 15 years ago.”
The witness attached a copy of the funeral brochure and the tribute he allegedly wrote in honour of his late uncle. He called the suit and a certain January 15, 2018 judgment as pure fraud aimed to mislead the court.
The court, decided to adjourn the case until May 2, 2018, due to a request by Mr. Uba Anene, the plaintiff’s lawyer, that he needed some time to react to the counter-affidavit filed by the defendants.
He said he was not served directly, but was rather served through what he called a collaborating counsel.
The defence counsel, led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, did not object to the application.