THE CHAIRMAN, CUSTOMARY COURT, OMOKU & ORS. V. CHIEF JACKSON OJADI & ORS.

DONGBAN-MENSEM JCA (Delivering the Lead Judgment): On 28/07/94, the Hon. Justice E. N. T. Ebete of the Rivers State judiciary decreed as follows:-

“... That the 1st and 2nd respondents of the 1st set of respondents and the 4th, 5th and 6th respondents of the 2nd set of respondents disrespected this court’s order of 24/2/94. The application to commit them to prison therefore has merit and it is hereby granted...” The order that followed is also hereby reproduced:- “Order (a) 1st respondent who is the chairman of the Customary Court, Omoku is to pay a fine of N20.00 (twenty naira) or to go to prison for two months.

(b) Mr. Vincent Osi who is one of the members of the Customary Court who took part in the contempt judgment is to pay a fine of N20.00 (twenty naira) or to go to prison for two months. The 4th respondent of the 2nd set of respondents is to go to prison for three days.

The 5th respondent of the 2nd set of respondents is to go to prison for three days.

The 6th respondent of the 2…