Missing Case File: Judge Gives Chief Registrar Deadline

The matter which is before the court in Isiala Ngwa North local government area, is over the leadership of two factions of the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state. Dr Emmanuel Ndukwe, a onetime secretary of the party, assumed its leadership after the court issued an order sacking its former executive committee headed by Donatus Nwankpa. The matter came to bare when the case came up for hearing on October 2, but unfortunately, the file was nowhere to be found, thus incurring the anger of the judge. The infuriated judge also directed the day’s proceedings to be forwarded to the acting chief judge of the state for his information and possible necessary action. Speaking with newsmen after the adjournment, the legal adviser of the Ndukwe-led leadership, Barrister Somadila Uzodinma expressed surprise over the unbelievable development. The legal adviser alleged that the chief registrar had deceived the registrar of the court, Mr E. E. Nwogwugwu, to remove the file without the knowledge and approval of the judge. In his reaction, Ndukwe said they had petitioned the acting chief judge over the missing file, stressing that both the registrar and the chief registrar should be held accountable for it. Application for the order with suit number NO: HIN/4/2018 was brought by Bar Fabian Okonkwo, Engr Chris Okpechi and Hon Onyebuchi Igodo against APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Nwankpa and three others. The order asked APC, Odigie-Oyegun, Mai Mala Bunu and Dr Muz Banire to stop dealing with Nwankpa and other members of his defunct executive committee pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit]]>