OZO (CHIEF) ELIAS P. O. OFFODILE M.F.R. V. OZO (DR.) SYLVESTER E. ONEJEME (PRESIDENT, OZO-AWKA) OZO E. UMEADI OKOLI (SECRETARY, OZO-AWKA) OZO NNAMEKA NZEKWE (HEAD, OZO-EZINATO) OZO ANAMEKE IFEACHO (SPEAKER, OZO-AWKA) OZO CHUKWUMA OKOLI (WELFARE OFFICER OZO-AWKA) OZO OBUORA ESSELL (FOR THEMSELVES AND ON BEHALF OF OZO-AWKA) OZO NWACHUKWU UKOR OZO NWOSHI OKOLI (FOR THEMSELVES AND ON BEHALF OF OZO IFITE)

ABOKI JCA (Delivering the Lead Judgment): This is an appeal against the decision of Umegbolu Nri-Ezedi J., (Chief Judge) of Anambra State, delivered on 4 December 2007.

The facts of the case as can be gleaned from the record of appeal are briefly stated as follows:

The appellant who was the plaintiff before the lower court sued his two brothers, Ozo AnthonyNweke Offodile and Christian Iloegbua Offodile at the Awka High Court. The two defendants reported the appellant to the Ozo-Awka Society so that it could look into the matter with a view to arbitrate between them, as members of the Ozo-Awka Society. The appellant resisted the Ozo-Awka looking into the matter, claimingthat he had already filed a suit at the Awka High Court. The Society despite the protest went ahead and deliberated on the matter. The appellant reacted or protested angrily to the said decision of the Ozo- Awka Society. The son of the appellant, Greg Offodile was alleged to have joined his father in protesting the said…