Ezeship tussle: Court sacks Okorocha’s imposed monarch in Imo Community
By Athan Agbakwuru
An Owerri High Court has sacked one Samuel Ordu imposed as the traditional ruler of Obiangwu Autonomous Community by former Governor Rochas Anayo Okorocha by nullifying his purported recognition and award of Staff of Office by the then governor.
The presiding judge of Court 8, Hon. Justice Benjamin Iheka on Friday 30th September 2022 delivered the landmark judgement on Suit No: HOW/383/2014 filed by Chief Gabriel Nwosu challenging the wrongful recognition of Mr Ordu as a traditional ruler by the former governor.
In his judgement, Iheka nullified the recognition of Sam Ordu as the traditional ruler of Obiangwu and warned him to desist forthwith from conducting or parading himself as a traditional ruler.
Justice Iheka also awarded N500,000.00 cost against the Ordu as well as asked the Governor of the State, Senator Hope Uzodimma to recognize and issue Chief Nwosu with Staff of Office as the validly identified, selected and presented monarch of Obiangwu Community.
He faulted the action of the former governor in according recognition of the sacked purported monarch of Obiangwu when he was not duly identified, selected and appointed by the people of Obiangwu Autonomous Community of Mgor Okpala LGA in line with their constitution.
Iheka further declared null and void the ex-governor’s use of lot casting as a means of choosing the third respondent, Sam Ordu, as Eze or traditional ruler of Obiangwu saying it is contrary to the custom, traditions and constitution of the community and not known to the Imo State Law No. 6 of 2006, as amended.
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His words, “The first defendant (governor) has no powers to choose and recognize the third defendant (Samuel Ordu) as Eze or traditional ruler of Obiangwu autonomous community in Ngor Okpala local government area of Imo State when the third defendant was not identified, selected, appointed and installed as Eze or traditional ruler by the people of Obiangwu autonomous community following their constitution.
“I declare as null and void, the action of the governor, by casting ballots as a means of identifying and recognizing the third defendant, as Eze or traditional ruler of Obiangwu autonomous community, which is contrary to the customs and traditions of Obiangwu autonomous community, the constitution of the community and the Traditional Rulers and Autonomous Community Law number six of 2006, as amended.”
Meanwhile, it has been jubilations galore in Obiangwu following the judgement which many believe is a victory for the will of the people and a victory well deserved by the applicant, Chief Gab Nwosu.
Reacting to the judgement, Chief Nwosu thanked God for the victory and dedicated it to God and the good people of Obiangwu who believe in truth and justice.
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