By Praise Chinecherem
People of Ezumeri Oraifite community in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State have warned Dr. Daniel Udoji to stop parading himself as the traditional ruler of Oraifite.
They accused him of violating court order, which they said was an invitation to anarchy in the area, insisting he must abide by court’s judgement.
Addressing reporters on Thursday, a community leader, Chief Charles Momah (Nze Chinyelugo), threatened that the Ezumeru community would be compelled to head for its autonomous community if safety and freedom of expression were no longer guaranteed in Oraifite.
He explained that the issue of Igwe in Oraifite which had been in serious contention, was recently settled in Court, but wondered why President General of the community would prefer to ignore the judgment of a High Court.
Describing Oraifite problems as multifaceted, Momah regretted that the silence of Ezumeri was gradually legitimizing Udoji as the Igwe of Oraifite albeit the judgment of the court.
He warned that peace and progress would continue to elude his people until they do the right thing.
He said, “I keep hearing the OIU PG mention, “Igwe, Igwe, Igwe”. Please, after the demise of Igwe Greg Udeh Ubaka, did Oraifite install another Igwe? Was OIU not served with the court judgment on this matter or are they taking sides?
“Is there any reason why OIU should not be dragged to court for contempt? What has Otube matter got to do with the PG’s repeated and deliberate mention of Igwe (instead of ndi Obi) during his CEC meeting?
“The Igwe matter in Oraifite has been seriously very contentious and was recently settled in Court. Why is the PG by virtue of his position, choose to ignore the judgment of a high court. Perhaps he is trying to please his brother-in-law, Dr. Daniel Udoji. Has Oraifite Igweship matter now turned into a family affair?
“When was the so-called king installed in Oraifite? Did Oraifite ever install a ‘king’, and when did that happen? Just recently, a Court of competent jurisdiction advised and ordered Dr. Daniel Udoji to stop parading himself as Igwe of Oraifite.
“Yet people such as Engr. Humphrey Nsofor and his sibling, Mr. Eric Nsofor(Nzedike) and a few other people, who have no regard for the court ruling, continue to aid Dr. Daniel Udoji in disobeying a standing court order. In law they call it ‘contempt of court order’.
“The problems of Oraifite are multifaceted and I predict that peace and progress will continue to allude us until we do what’s right. Know this and know peace, Ezumeri (Okefi) cannot be cowed.
“The silence of ndi Ezumeri is gradually legitimizing Dr. Daniel Udoji as the Igwe of Oraifite albeit the judgment of the court.”
Momah recalled that Hon. Justice Dennis C. Maduechesi on April 18, 2023, at Nnewi High Court — Suit Number HN/216/2006, in a case between Ezumeri Quarter Vs Dr. Daniel Udoji & Anambra State, ruled that it was the turn of Ezumeri quarter after the demise of Igwe Gregory Udeh-Ubaka to ascend the throne of Igwe stool of Oraifite, according to Oraifite 1977 Chieftaincy Constitution.
He said the court also affirmed that the Traditional Rulers Certificate which was issued to Dr. Daniel Udoji(Obi Unodu), was procured fraudulently without due process of law.
“That Oraifite Chieftaincy Constitution which was adopted, ratified and approved in 1977, is a lawful document and clearly states that the Igwe stool, shall rotate between the four quarters of Oraifite.
“The court issued an order of perpetual injunction against Dr. Daniel Udoji to stop parading himself or any of his agents as either Igwe of Oraifie, Obi of Oraifite, or Paramount Traditional Ruler of Oraifite. The court pointed to the fact that the Eastern Nigeria Chiefs law of 1963, had been set aside by Anambra State Chieftaincy edict of 1976.
“The court further ordered the defendants (Dr. Daniel Udoji, Anambra State Government and Attorney General Of Anambra State) to jointly and severally pay the sum of N1M (one million naira) to Ezumeri,” Momah quoted the court to had ruled.
