The traditional ruler of Nawfia community, Njikoka local government area of Anambra State, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo has raised the alarm over alleged harassment and intimidation by the state police command.
He told LEADERSHIP that he was driving out from his palace on the Christmas eve to attend the Ofala festival of the younger brother of the renowned philanthropist, Prince Arthur Eze and traditional ruler of Ukpo, Dunukofia local government, Igwe Robert Eze when about four policemen stopped him and told him that he was wanted at the police station.
The monarch stated that the police later gave him a letter inviting him to the state Criminal Investigation Department, CID, where on arrival he was told to see O/c D4.
He particularly complained that the state police command denigrated his status as a traditional ruler pointing out he discovered that the police in the letter merely addressed him as “Mr.” Ferdinand Nwankwo, and not properly as a traditional ruler: “Igwe” or “His Royal Highness.”
He recalled that Justice Peace Otti of the High Court 3, Awka, had on December 28, 2022 made an order compelling the state government to withdraw the certificate of recognition issued to one Dan Obelle by the immediate past Governor Willie Obiano as the traditional ruler of Nawfia adding that he had already served the Court Order on both the state government and the state police command among other relevant agencies.
He also stated that the same Court had earlier made an order that the “status quo ante” should be maintained in respect of the Nawfia traditional stool dispute pending the determination of the suit he filed in the court challenging his suspension and subsequent dethronement by the then Obiano administration.
Igwe Nwankwo said that he had served all the court orders pertaining to the controversies over his traditional stool on the police command, particularly the latest two orders of the court which include that the status quo ante should be maintained, and, the subsequent one ordering the state government to withdraw the certificate of recognition issued to Dan Obelle as the traditional ruler of Nawfia.
Justice Otti in the Suit No. A/53/2022 between Ferdinand Chijioke Nwankwo Vs Anambra state government; Honourable Attorney-general of Anambra state, Anambra state Council of Traditional Rulers and Chinweba Moguluwa, a copy of which was obtained by LEADERSHIP had on December 28, 2022 made an order compelling the Anambra State government “that the certificate of recognition issued to Dan Obelle as Igwe of Nawfia be withdrawn and for the Government of Anambra State, the Honourable Attorney- general and state council of Traditional Rulers and all agencies of Government in Anambra to cease and never recognise Dan Obelle as Igwe of Nawfia or accord him any privileges as such until the final determination of this case”.
When contacted, the spokesman of the state police command, Ikenga Tochukwu, said he was not aware of any invitation to the monarch. He said the command was committed to maintaining law and order, as well as protection of lives and property.
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