Anambra Court Adjourns Criminal Cases Against Udobi, Chukwudebe, Others to July 17

The Anambra State High Court 2, sitting in Awka, the state capital, and presided over by Justice Onyinye Anumonye, on Friday adjourned two criminal cases instituted by the State against Vincent Udobi and 11 others, as well as Francis Chukwudebe and eight others, until July 17, 2026, for hearing.
Charge sheets obtained by our correspondent indicate that the cases were filed under Suit Nos. NN/10/C/2025 and NN/11/C/2025, respectively.
In Suit No. NN/10/C/2025, the State is prosecuting Vincent Udobi, Arinze Azodo, Samuel Ndeke, Chukwudimma Anene, Nwofor Chukwudi, Donatus Obidike, Jasper Azodo, Francis Chira Udobi, Chukwuemeka Nnabuenyi, Nze Onyebuchi Anene, Obinna Nwalioba Olichi, and Francis Chukwudebe.
In the second matter, Suit No. NN/11/C/2025, the State is prosecuting Francis Chukwudebe, Uche James, Uche Ogoemeka, Samuel Nweke, Nworah Ositadimma, Oliver Udobi, Chinedu Nwakwo, Ifeanyi C. Anozie, and Jude Chukwudi Chiobi.
According to the charge sheets, the defendants are facing allegations bordering on criminal conspiracy, assault, attempted murder, and stealing. The prosecution also alleges that the accused persons conspired to kill the immediate past President-General of Ifitedunu Community, Chief Uchenna Nwoye.
When the matters were called on Friday, counsel to the prosecution, Barrister Fabian Okeke, who appeared on behalf of the State, announced his appearance. However, neither the defendants nor their legal representatives were present in court.
Barrister Okeke expressed concern over the absence of both the defendants and their counsel, noting that the matters had been scheduled for hearing.
In its remarks, the court explained that the cases had originally been fixed for hearing on the previous Friday.
However, proceedings could not take place because members of the judiciary were attending the burial of a deceased colleague.
Consequently, the matters were rescheduled to Friday, but the defendants and their counsel again failed to appear.
The court subsequently adjourned both cases to July 17, 2026, for hearing.
Speaking with journalists after the court session, the prosecution counsel, Barrister Fabian Okeke, confirmed that the State has two separate criminal cases before the court.
He said:”We have two matters before this court. The first is Suit No. NN/10/C/2025, The State v. Vincent Udobi and Others, while the second is Suit No. NN/11/C/2025, The State v. Francis Chukwudebe and Others.
“Today, neither the defendants nor their counsel were present in court. The matters were initially scheduled for hearing last Friday, June 19, 2026. Unfortunately, the court did not sit on that day because members of the judiciary attended the burial of a colleague. The matters were consequently rescheduled to today.
“Despite the adjournment, all the defendants and their counsel failed to appear. In the circumstances, we had no option but to seek another adjournment, and the court accordingly fixed July 17, 2026, for hearing.”