The three claimants to the throne are Igwe Peter Chikwenze Anielutu, Igwe Michael O.N Enemuo and Igwe Peter Ikegbunam Udorji. At the hearing of the matter before Justice G.C Anulude yesterday, counsel to the three persons namely Chief Benson Nwankwo, SAN, for Igwe Udorji, Sunny Nworie for Enemuo and L. A. Obiorah insisted that their clients were the rightful persons to occupy the throne. Though the matter had been in court for some time, it took a new twist last Friday when the Anambra State government issued one of them, Igwe Udorji with a certificate of recognition, a development that angered the lawyers to the other two claimants. At the court yesterday, Udorji dressed in full royal attire was a cynosure of all eyes, especially from those who were familiar with the matter. Counsel to Anielutu, Lawrence Obiora said what the Anambra state government did was a slap in the face of the judiciary. He told the court: “This matter was slated for hearing today (yesterday), but there is a development. As the suit was adjourned, the defendant went behind and got certificate of recognition from the state government. Such a conduct will render the decision of the court ineffective.” He told the court that what the state government did was to embarrass the court by giving certificate of recognition to a party in the matter. According to him, “our main concern is that Udorji who counter claimed in the suit went to the state government, deceived them and took the certificate of recognition notwithstanding the pendency of the case. “We know that the state government is aware of the case because my client Enemuo, when he got wind of the fraudulent plot, petitioned the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano intimating him of the court case.” However, Mr Nwankwo, SAN, said the state government was no longer part of the matter which paved the way for the process of the presentation of the traditional ruler to go on. Also, counsel to Enemuo said the state government did not respect the sanctity of the court, noting that they were surprised that government could prejudice the judiciary. He told the court that what the state government did was to embarrass the court by giving certificate of recognition to a party in the matter. After listening to the various counsels, Justice G.C Anulude fixed May 16, 2016 for further hearing of the matter.]]>