S. A. IBIYEYE, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal is against the ruling of the Calabar Judicial Division of the High Court of Cross River State presided over by Ita, J. and delivered on the 24th day of February, 2005 in charge No. HC/8C/2005 overruling the appellants' objection challenging his jurisdiction to try them in Calabar for an offence of murder allegedly committed at Odajie-Mbube, in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State within Ogoja Judicial Division of the High Court of Cross River State.
The antecedents of the instant ruling are that the accused persons now appellants were arraigned on a one count information at the Calabar Judicial Division for an alleged offence of murder which was committed at Odajie-Mbube in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State on the 6th day of August, 2004. On the 11th day of February, 2005 each of the appellants pleaded not guilty to the charge and the case was adjourned to 22nd, 23rd and 24th of February, …