The trial of the state’s Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Obinna Ngonadi, and the Attorney-General, Prof. Sylvia Ifemejeol, over alleged disobedience of the state’s High Court order stalled on Thursday due to absence of the Judge of a State High Court in Ogbaru, Anambra State.
Others involved in the trial were Chief Ikechukwu Ekwegbalu, President-General, Anambra State Amalgamated Traders Association, the Incorporated Trustees and executive members of Electronic Dealers Association Onitsha.
The court staff had informed litigants and their counsel that the judge, Justice Alexious Okuma, was not going to sit.
Although no reason was given for the judge’s absence, the court clerk subsequently fixed November 8, for hearing.
A motion ex parte filed by Christgonus Obi on July 5 prayed the court not to allow the respondents — Attorney-General of the state, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry and others — to constitute caretakers committee in EDAO but they went ahead to constitute the committee.