Supreme Court dismisses Okorocha’s appeal, affirms Eze Cletus Ilomuanya as Chairman of Sout-East Traditional Rulers

The three and half years legal battle between the traditional ruler of Obinugwu and Chairman South East Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze (Dr.) Cletus Ilomuanya, and the Imo State government over the chairmanship of the State Traditional Rulers Council has finally come to an end as the Supreme Court has struck out the appeal of the state government.

The apex court described the appeal, as incompetent and affirmed that the monarch remains the authentic Eze Imo.

Reacting to the judgement, the South East Council of Traditional Rulers applauded the Supreme Court, describing the decision as victory for Eze  Ilomuanya, and the rule of law, justice, equity and for the traditional institution in Nigeria.

The five-man panel of Justices of the Supreme Court, on Monday, threw away the appeal of the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha and upheld the earlier judgment of the Owerri Division of the Court of Appeal on July 5, 2013, which affirmed Eze Ilomuanya as chairman of the state Council of Traditional Rulers.

The Supreme Court, after listening to arguments from the counsels, upheld the position of Ilomuanya’s lawyer, Obiora Obianwu (SAN) and consequently dismissed the governor’s appeal.