Court reverses Obiano’s action on suspension of Anambra monarch

Anambra State High Court 3, presided over by Justice Peace Oti, has faulted the issuance of Certificate of Recognition to Dan Obelle as the traditional ruler of Nawfia, Njikoka Local Council of the state, few days to the exit of the Willie Obiano administration.

Justice Oti, while delivering judgment in two separate motions filed by the embattled traditional ruler, Igwe Nwankwo, yesterday, ordered maintenance of status quo ante concerning the stool as it were before August 2020, when the state government withdrew Igwe Nwankwo’s Certificate of Recognition.

The Guardian gathered that Igwe Nwankwo was suspended in August 2020 for accompanying Anambra-born oil business mogul, Prince Arthur Eze, to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his developmental strides in the South East; a trip the state government claimed was not authorised.

It was learnt that on March 11, 2022, six days to the end of the Obiano administration, on March 7, 2022, it issued Certificate of Recognition to Obelle as Igwe of Nawfia, an action Igwe Nwankwo challenged for disrespecting rule of law based on pending suit No. A/286M/2021.

Igwe Nwankwo, who was crowned the traditional ruler of Nawfia, about two decades ago, had, in two separate reliefs, filed an interlocutory injunction asking that: nobody should be crowned Igwe, Eze or whatever name; that the status quo ante be maintained in Nawfia as it was before August 2020, pending the determination of suit No. A/53/2021.

The plaintiff/applicant equally urged the court to hold that the defendants/respondents committed contempt of the court in March 11, 2020, when they meddled in the Igweship of Nawfia town, despite the pending motions and suit No. A/53/2021 in court.