The Palace of HRM Igwe Ikechukwu Oliver Akpudo, Eze Ndi Igbo of Kano, has expressed concern over what it described as prejudicial and defamatory publications currently circulating in relation to the ongoing court proceedings arising from a business dispute involving the monarch and businessman, Maduka Madubuike.
In a statement made available to our correspondent, the Palace said that while it respects the right of every citizen to seek legal redress and remains fully committed to the judicial process, allegations contained in court filings should not be presented to the public as established facts before the conclusion of the trial.
The Palace noted that HRM Igwe Ikechukwu Oliver Akpudo has pleaded not guilty to the allegations before the court and remains constitutionally entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
According to the statement, concern has grown over reports and public commentaries emanating from the dispute and the subsequent court proceedings, which allegedly seek to prejudice the ongoing judicial process and subject the monarch to public ridicule and reputational harm before the courts have had the opportunity to determine the issues.
The Palace further observed that while the dispute originated from business dealings between parties now before the court, recent reports and headlines have unnecessarily drawn the revered institution of the Eze Ndi Igbo of Kano into the controversy in a manner it considers damaging and prejudicial.
“The Palace is particularly concerned by publications and commentaries which appear calculated to prejudice the ongoing proceedings, subject His Royal Majesty to public ridicule, and inflict reputational injury upon both his person and the revered institution of the Eze Ndi Igbo of Kano before the conclusion of the judicial process,” the statement read.
It urged members of the public to distinguish between allegations contained in court proceedings and findings reached by a court after the conclusion of the trial.
The Palace further disclosed that it is reviewing publications and reports currently in circulation concerning the matter and stated that appropriate legal and other lawful actions would be taken, where necessary, to protect the reputation and rights of the monarch and the institution he represents.
The Palace reiterated its confidence in the judicial process and expressed optimism that the courts would arrive at a fair and just determination of the issues before them.
