Durunneji Na Nwerem Vs Nweremekakam Na Durunneji: ‎Court Bridges Rigorous Cross Examinations, Orders Counsels to focus on subject matter

…‎Adjourns to Feb. 18, Mar. 4, 18, 25.
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‎It was a heated cross- examination between the Defense Counsels led by Barrister CC Amuzie, and Barrister Ambrose Ndukaku who is the first Plaintiff’s witness (PW1) in Durunneji  na Nwerem vs Nweremekakam na Durunneji before the Chairman of Orogwe Customary Court in Owerri jurisdiction of Imo State, His Lordship, C. Onyeziri and two other members, Mr. T. N. Onuh, Mr. Theo. Ofonye, yesterday, when the matter was mentioned for the continuation of cross examinations.
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‎According to a question by the Defense Counsels led by Barrister Amuzie to Barrister Ambrose Ndukaku, “you gave evidence in chief of this matter, how old are you?” ‎Barrister Ambrose Ndukaku, the Plaintiff’s witness, PW1 replied that he was 77 years old.
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‎Barrister Amuzie asked Barrister Ndukaku; “Under your native customs and traditions a man who established the shrine, or deity is the best custodian of the shrine and the deity, true or false?”
‎Barrister Ndukaku the Plaintiff’s witness, PW1 responded that it was not true.
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‎Barrister Amuzie asked Barrister Ndukaku; “Nweremekakam na Durunneji joined Durunneji na Nwerem, he and his descendants never established shrine in Nchoko, is it true?”
‎Barrister Ndukaku, PW1 responded: ” Yes, it’s NWEREMEKAKAM who settled first in Nchoko village before his brother Durunneji joined him and NWEREMEKAKAM established the shrine and brought Njaba deity from Amuka village..”
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‎Barrister Amuzie to Barrister Ndukaku; “under your custom, the position of custodian or keeper of Ofo Nchoko is hereditary and the Ofo Nchoko is the beginning from the founder to his descendants, is it true?”
‎Barrister Nduka PW1 responded that it was hereditary and it was the reason they demanded for the return of Ofo Nchoko to Nweremekakam where it rightfully belongs after the death of the holders in Durunneji and this is in his evidence before the court.
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‎Barrister Amuzie ti Barrister Ndukaku: “several decades Durunneji has been in the custodian of the Ofo Nchoko village, is it true?”
‎Barrister Ndukaku PW1 responded that the Ofo Nchoko was in the wrong possession and because of refusal to return the Ofo Nchoko after several decades, Nweremekakam invoked the gods of the land to inflict curse on them, which resulted in alleged leprosy, suspected sudden death, and other injuries, which he has given as evidence in the court.
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Again, ‎Barrister Amuzie asked Barrister Ndukaku; both Ezinne, Obiworo and others held Ofo Nchoko in their time before their death, is it true?”
‎Barrister Ndukaku responded that because of the Ofo Nchoko Ezinne held, he was allegedly inflicted with leprosy and also suspected to be banished by their community, while Obiworo was allegedly killed by leprosy.
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‎Barrister Amuzie to Barrister Ndukaku; “you alleged that Obiworo was afflicted with leprosy, do you have any medical report to prove it?”
‎Barrister Ndukaku (PW1) responded that it was a common knowledge that Obiworo was sent to Ozukoli Leprosy Settlement center in Okigwe before his death, and I don’t have medical report because I am not his son.
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‎Barrister Amuzie asked Barrister Ndukaku; “I put it to you that Obiworo didn’t die on alleged leprosy because you don’t have medical report?”
‎Barrister Ndukaku the PW1, responded that he accepted not having the medical report because he is not Obiworo son.
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‎Barrister Amuzie asked Barrister Ndukaku; “you also said that one Onyenaemeibeya and others died on alleged leprosy, do you have their medical report?”
‎Barrister Ndukaku the PW1, responded that he doesn’t have medical report because he is not their son, but they were isolated by their people and taken to the Ozukoli Leprosy Settlement where his brother was and it happened before him.
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‎Barrister Amuzie asked Barrister Ndukaku; “do you know Late Ndukaku Ekeanyawu?”
‎Barrister Ndukaku the PW1 responded that late Ndukaku Ekeanyawu was his father
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‎Barrister Amuzie asked Barrister Ndukaku; “when did he die?”
‎Barrister Ndukaku PW1 responded that he died when he was still in the womb of his mother
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‎Barrister Amuzie asked Barrister Ndukaku; “do you know one late Michael Ezinne from Isieke Awomma?”
‎Barrister Ndukaku the PW1 responded that he knew him.
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‎Barrister Amuzie asked Barrister Ndukaku; “now you don’t know the relationship between Michael Ezinne and Ndukaku Ekeanyawu?”
‎Barrister Ndukaku the PW1 responded that he doesn’t know.
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‎The court in her wisdom intercepted further questions that were assumed to be attacking the genealogy
of the parties and bridged the cross examinations, and also ordered that the counsels should focus on the subject matter than going into rigorous process, or engaging in personality attacks which would damage image, at such, adjourned the process to February 18, March 4, March 18, and March 25, 2026, for the definite conclusion of cross- examination of the Plaintiff’s witness PW1 by the defense counsel