Mr. Emmanuel Ekwujuru Uzoho, a former traditional ruler of Umuezeanoruo Eziama Autonomous Community in Nkwerre LGA, Imo State has been arrested by the police.
The deposed former traditional ruler was said to have been arrested for falsely laying claim to the throne as the traditional ruler of Umuezeanoruo Eziama Community. The police sources said they were investigating conduct likely to cause a breach of peace against the former traditional ruler.
Mr Uzoho was also reported of being investigated for alleged disobedience to lawful judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction and for his continued parading himself as the traditional ruler of Umuezeanoruo Eziama Community, which the police said was contrary to the relevant provisions of the Imo State Traditional Rulers and Autonomous Communities Law of 2006 (as amended).
It was gathered that the rightful contender to the royal traditional stool of Umuezeanoruo Eziama Autonomous Community, Prince Emeka Obiefule had in 2011 through his lawyer, J.K Njoku Esq filed a suit at the Nkwerre High Court challenging the selection and eventual recognition of Mr. Uzoho as the traditional ruler of Umuezeanoruo Eziama Community.
In the judgment delivered on May 28, 2018 by Hon Justice T. E. Chikeka, then the presiding judge, the suit was dismissed. Prince Obiefule then appealed against the judgment at the Federal Court of Appeal, Owerri Division.
Consequently in an unanimous judgment of the Federal Court of Appeal, Owerri Division delivered on Thursday, September 21, 2023 by Hon Justice Samuel Ademola Bola, the appellate court set aside the judgment of the lower court and upheld the prayers of the appellant, Prince Obiefule.
The Court directed the Governor of Imo State and the State Government to recognize and issue Prince Obiefule with the certificate of recognition and staff of office as the Traditional Ruler of Umuezeanoruo Eziama Community. The Court of Appeal was also said to have declared all the activities of Mr. Emmanuel Ekwujuru Uzoho from 2011 as traditional ruler of Umuezeanorue Eziama Community null, void and of no effect whatsoever.
It was also gathered that all the necessary orders of Court were served to the appropriate government establishments for necessary action by the Imo State Government.
The recognized Traditional Ruler of Umuezeanoruo Eziama Autonomous Community by virtue of the Federal Court of Appeal judgment, Prince Emeka Obiefule has called for calm by all the parties and extended his hands of fellowship to his opponents inorder to move their Community forward even as the Imo State Government was said to have accepted to comply with the Federal Court of Appeal judgment, accordingly.
Reports indicated that before the arrest of the dethroned former traditional ruler, preparations for coronation of the new Traditional Ruler HRH, Eze Emeka Obiefule by the people of Umuezeanoruo Eziama Community has reached advanced stages. The police however, as at the time of filing this report was still investigating the reported case of the dethroned former traditional ruler, Mr Uzoho parading himself as a traditional ruler, when indeed the Federal Court of Appeal judgment dethroning him is still subsisting.
NIGERIA NEWSPOINT
