An Awka High Court on Monday adjourned until May 7, the pre-trial conference in the sharing of late Sir Louis Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s estate.
The Judge, Justice Dennis Mmaduechesi, adjourned the case, following the failure of Counsel to the first defendant, Mr Okwuchukwu Ugolo (SAN), to comply with the court rules with respect to change in counsel.
The court also observed that the earlier order of hearing notice on the third defendant, Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, was not properly served.
It further noted that the fourth defendant, the Probate Registrar of Awka High Court, was similarly, not served at all.
Mmaduechesi, therefore, adjourned until May 7, for pre-trial conference to enable parties to put their houses in order.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first defendant, Dr Joseph Ojukwu, was formerly represented by Mr Gerald Ezeuko (SAN).
Mr Ebuka Ogwu and Mr Christopher Ezeoka entered appearance for the second defendant, Mr Lotanna Ojukwu, and the fifth defendant, Ojukwu Transport Company, respectively.
When the matter was called up on Monday, Mr Chuka Osianatogu, Counsel to Chukwuma Ojukwu and Ikemefuna Ojukwu, pointed out the mix up in the appearance to the court.
Osianatogu told court that Ugolo had not complied with Order 48 of the High Court (Civil Procedure) rule to warrant him to appear in the case as counsel.
Ugolo in his response said he would file processes to put their house in order and applied for adjournment to enable him to comply and also file pre-trial conference.
NAN reports that Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who died in 1966, was the father of late Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, the founder of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, who led Biafra’s secession bid in the late 1960s.
Ikemefuna Ojukwu and his brother, Chukwuma Ojukwu, had instituted the suit in 2014, against Joseph Ojukwu, Dr Ike Ojukwu, Bianca Ojukwu and Lotenna Ojukwu.
The plaintiffs, among other reliefs, are seeking that they are entitled to 25 per cent of the share in the compound of their father at No. 73, Owerri Road, Nnewi.
“A declaration that the plaintiffs are entitled to 25 per cent shares of their father’s company, Ojukwu Transport Company.”
They also sought an order of the court, compelling the defendants to account to them the management of Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s property over the years.
The duo further asked the court to grant an order for the will of Odumegwu-Ojukwu to be resealed. (NAN)
