Bob Njemanze Vs Eze Okeke, 32 Imo Traditional Rulers: FCT High Court Adopts Njemanze’s Argument Over Jurisdiction Against Defendants

By Chinedu Max Egere…

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday agreed and adopted the argument of Prince Bob Njemanze’s lawyers against the defendants, Eze Emnanuel Okeke, the Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, 32 other Traditional Rulers in Imo state and Imo Newspapers holding that it is clear that the publication and cause of action arose within the jurisdiction of the court.

The FCT Court said it has jurisdiction to decide and adjudicate on the suit No FCT/AC/JAC/1992/2024 which the plaintiff, Prince Bob Njemanze brought before it against Eze Okeke, 32 Imo Traditional Rulers and Imo Newspapers Limited over libel.

The motion by the defendant’s lawyers challenging the jurisdiction of the Court were dismissed and parties directed to file their pleadings.

The defendants had filed motions challenging the jurisdiction of the Court to hear and determine the suit citing that in accordance with the rules of the honourable court, the suit ought to be commenced in the judicial division where the defendants reside.

They urged the Court to decline jurisdiction and direct that the suit be commenced in a venue convenient and economical.

In the plaintiff’s response, his lawyers contended that in the case of defamation, the suit is to be commenced where the cause of action arose and that more so in a case of libel where the words complained of were published online, with wide circulation and read across various states, the suit can be commenced in any state where it is accessed or downloaded.

The court therefore ruled in favour of the plaintiff after the response of his lawyers, K.C.O Njemanze, SAN with U.C Njemanze-Aku and M.L Young-Arney while C.Attamah Esq, Eze Duruiheoma, SAN with S.M Oyeghe stood for the defendants.

The matter was adjourned to 19th of November, 2025 for hearing .

The defendants include Eze Dr.E.C Okeke; Eze Dr. Thomas Obiefule; Eze Prof. Gele Odigbo; Eze Dr. Okoligwe; Eze A.C Obi; Eze P. Uzodinma; Eze Sampson Okwudinma; Eze Boniface Ononeyi; Eze Franklin Okafor: Eze P. Ewuzie; Eze K.N.Kanu; Eze C.N. Eze; Eze Acho Ndukwe Ihenacho; Eze P. Uwalaka; Eze Rev. Jude Uwalaka; Eze Engr. Chris Aguba; Eze Daniel Emeronye; Eze Dr. Lucky Okoro; Eze Jude Nwaogu, Eze Possible; Eze Engr. Fred Nwachukwu; Eze O.B Nkwocha; Eze Sabinus Nwaneche; Eze M.D.J. Waturuocha and other Traditional Rulers and Imo Newspapers Limited.