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From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
A fresh crisis has erupted in Anioma Autonomous Community, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State over the traditional stool of the community as a claimant, Chief Wisdom Chukwuma Okoye has approached the court seeking to invalidate the recognition of a traditional ruler in the community.
Speaking to newsmen after Court proceedings, yesterday, in Abakaliki, Chief Okoye alleged that irregularities and violations of established succession procedures characterised the process that led to the emergence of the current occupant of the throne.
Okoye, who traced the dispute to a longstanding kingship tussle in the community, alleged that previous controversies had once left Anioma without a traditional ruler for about 19 years.
He said that the prolonged dispute has deprived the community of developmental opportunities and government benefits tied to the institution of traditional leadership.
He maintained that the kingship arrangement in Anioma follows a rotational system among designated villages and argued that it was the turn of his lineage to produce the monarch.
“The kingship of Anioma rotates from village to village, and this time it is our turn. Instead of allowing due process to take its course, some people allegedly manipulated the process and conducted what I call a kangaroo election,” Okoye said.
He alleged that the local government chairman at the time had notified security agencies and government authorities that no election would be held because of the prevailing situation in the community.
Okoye stated that despite this development, some individuals proceeded with what he described as an unauthorised process and later crowned another person as king. He said that rather than resort to actions capable of disrupting peace in the community, he chose the legal route.
“I decided not to take the law into my hands because I believe the court remains the last hope of the common man,” he added.
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Okoye further alleged that government authorities were misled into recognising the disputed traditional ruler and issuing him a staff of office.
He alleged that the state government was misled to believe that there was no dispute pending over the kingship matter.
“They deceived the government into believing there was no case and that everything had been settled amicably,” he alleged.
Also speaking, lead counsel to the claimant, Barrister Cee Cee Ani, argued that no valid Ezeship election was conducted in the community.
Ani said the local government authorities had earlier cancelled the proposed election because of security concerns in the area.
The lawyer cited several security incidents, including the alleged abduction of a traditional leader and killings within the community, as factors behind the decision. He said only two individuals, including Chief Wisdom Okoye, were duly screened and cleared to participate in the proposed election before its cancellation.
“Our position is simple: there was no election in Anioma Isu. If there was no election, then any subsequent recognition arising from that process cannot stand,” Ani stated.
The counsel further claimed that the individual currently recognised as traditional ruler had previously been disqualified from the process, adding that his client’s legal team is seeking a court order directing the conduct of a fresh election.
“Our prayer before the court is for a lawful election to be conducted and for the process to follow due procedure,” he said.
The matter is currently before the state High Court, with parties awaiting judicial determination on the disputed kingship and recognition process.
