FABIYI, JCA (Delivering the Lead Judgment): This is an interlocutory appeal against the ruling of Ononiba, J., as he then was, sitting at the High Court of Justice, Nnewi in Anambra State of Nigeria on 26th March, 1998.
I feel it is apt to recapitulate briefly the back-ground facts leading to the ruling of 26-3-98 now under fire. The main appellant is the traditional ruler of Ekwulumili in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State. In December 1994, he planned to hold a festival called ‘Asala’ during which he intended to award some honorary chieftaincy titles to deserving indigenes of his town. He applied for approval of the state Government. He felt that he had cause to petition against the 2nd respondent to the state Government. In his petition, he alleged that the 2nd respondent, accompanied by a fake policeman, delivered a forged letter puported to be from Government House, Awka cancelling the ceremony to his place. The petition was referred to the Commissioner of Police…