BOLOUKUROMO MOSES UGO, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the judgment of the High Court of Delta State sitting at Asaba in Appeal No A/7CA/2014 given on the 8th day of December 2015 in exercise of its appellate jurisdiction on an appeal by the respondent against the judgment of the Oshimili South Area Customary Court (the trial Court) which convicted and sentenced him to terms of imprisonment, with option of fine, for the offences of threat to life and criminal defamation of one Sir (Hon.) Mathias O. C. Eto (PW1). Respondents appeal to the High Court was upheld and the judgment of the trial Customary Court set aside and he was discharged and acquitted on both counts.
Now, the panel of the trial Customary Court before which respondent was originally arraigned was constituted of Hon. S. A. Idise as President and one Ogbueshi V.I. Okonkwo as 1st Member. Respondent pleaded not guilty before the Idise and V.I. Okonkwo panel and hearing commenced with the pr…