The Enugu State High Court, Obollo-Afor Judicial Division, presided over by Hon. Justice C.C. Ani, has ordered parties involved in Igweship dispute in Udenu Local Government Area to maintain the status quo regarding the Igwe throne of Umuekwenu Obollo-Afor.
The directive was issued in response to a Motion on Notice filed by Chief Emmanuel Ugwu, the Plaintiff, against the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Enugu State, Okey Ogbodo and Chief Chinwe Eze, who are named as Defendants. Chief Chuma Oguegiofor, representing the Plaintiff, submitted the motion to prevent the appointment of a new Igwe until a final ruling is given on the matter.
The motion, supported by an affidavit and written address from Chief Oguegiofor, called for two key orders: the preservation of the Igwe title as vacant and an accelerated hearing of the main suit. Justice Ani, acknowledging the urgency of the matter, ordered that all parties uphold the current state until further court proceedings.
Counsel for the Defendants, F.N. Makata, represented by Obi K. Odo, also made submissions during the session. Following these deliberations, the case was adjourned until October 10, 2024, for a hearing on the Motion on Notice. The Enugu State judiciary, through Principal Registrar Ugwuanyi J.A., issued the court order with strict instructions for compliance from all parties until the substantive issues are addressed.
Speaking on the matter, the leader, Oha Ohulor in Council, Chief Matthew Agu said that he decided to go to court to forestall the illegality being perpetrated by the ministry of Chieftancy matters. He explained that, “The constitution says that if an Igwe dies before he is 8 years on the throne, then the same community will bring a replacement. But they are saying a different thing.
“The Commissioner for Chieftaincy matters, Okey Ogbodo is highly compromised because he was given pre-action notice which is 90 days. After a month and two weeks, he called a meeting again saying that we should start preparing for the Igweship.
“He started selecting interim town union which is against our constitution. The man is clothed in illegality. This is why we went court and filed action. Now we have this induction, and the injunction has been properly served on the ministry.”
When contacted, the Commissioner for Chieftancy Matters, Deacon Okey Ogbodo said he was not aware of any court injunction stopping the ministry from going ahead with Igweship election. Though our reporter obtained a copy of the injunction which was officially received by the ministry.
“I am not aware of any order. The matter is still in court and the matter is coming up on Tuesday. So how can there be an order? Where are you getting the information from? A matter that is coming up on Tuesday? When last the matter was supposed to hold, it didn’t hold and it was moved to this Tuesday,” he said.
