Former senior lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Dr. Peter Ekemezie has filed notice of appeal to challenge his conviction by Awka Magistrates court.
In his notice of appeal made available to multichannels234, Ekemezie who was sentenced to six months imprisonment for publishing defamatory statements against Prof. Alex Asigbo is asking the court to stay execution of the judgment until his appeal is heard.
He raised three issues as his grounds for appeal. He stated that the charge against him was fundamentally defective because it was procured in total disregard to the provisions of sections 31 and 37(3) of the Nigeria Police (establishment) Act, 2020 and Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2007.
On grounds two, he stated that lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter. On grounds three, he stated that the Magistrate Court denied him the right to fair hearing. According to him, he was not allowed to be defended by a lawyer of his choice; and he was not also informed about the trial dates when the matter was adjourned indefinitely at a time and was tried in his absence.
Ekemezie wants the court to set aside the judgment of the trial Magistrates court presided over by His Worship E.C. Chukwu, Esq and discharge him on merits.
Meanwhile, Ekemezie who was charged with three-counts bordering on forged documents and defamation was given an option of N300,000 fine. While delivering the judgment on August 4, 2023 at an Awka Magistrates’ court, His Worship, E.C. Chukwu noted that he took into consideration that the defendant had spent one month in a hospital and four months in a Correctional Centre.
Multichannels247 reports that various groups and stakeholders have made concerted efforts to resolve this matter without success as at the time of this report.
