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Even with Obiora
Akubeze already ordained as Archbishop of Benin Archdiocese, the
members of Edo Liturgical Group appear undaunted in their quest to oust
him. They have again appeared before Justice Rowland Amaize of the
Benin High Court with another demand. This time they are seeking the
return of the case challenging Mr Akubeze’s ordination to the state
chief judge, for the case to be reassigned to another judge for retrial.

The group had two
weeks ago secured an injunction to stop the ordination of Mr Akubeze as
Archbishop of Benin on the ground that he is of Igbo descent. They are
demanding for a Benin bishop in his stead. The same court, however,
overturned its former decision on the injunction, thereby permitting
the ordination of Mr Akubeze last week.

Counsel to the
plaintiff, Jonathan Aghimien (SAN), expressed displeasure over the way
the court vacated its order restraining the Catholic Church from
installing Mr Akubeze as archbishop, saying that he was not properly
served. This he said was responsible for his absence in court on the
day the lawyer to the respondent, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), secured the
order vacating the restraining order.

Mr Aghimien said
that a lawyer in his chamber signed for the process on Good Friday
(April 22), adding that someone drew his attention to the matter over
the telephone. He argued further that one could not be served court
processes through the telephone. He noted that what pained him the most
was that he was made to appear as if he dodged the court. He therefore
sought for the transfer of the matter to another judge for
adjudication, alleging that his clients were being intimidated and
harassed, threatened with de-robing as knights of the Catholic Church.

“This is not the first time a member of a church would be going to court, especially on issues of administration,” he said.

Responding, the
counsel to the defendant, Mr Ozekhome, said a lawyer in the plaintiff’s
lawyer’s chamber signed for the court processes, saying that great
damage would have been done to the image of Nigeria if the order was
not vacated to facilitate the installation of the archbishop. Mr
Ozekhome said the judge gave an undiluted ruling, adding that they
agreed that the case should be transferred to another judge.

Having listened to both parties, the trial judge, Justice Rowland
Amaize, therefore granted the prayer of the petitioners and ordered the
case to be returned to the chief judge for re-assigning to another
judge.