By Innocent Onyeukwu
The Community Government Council introduced by the Rochas Okorocha Administration, has set the ball rolling for the biggest battle between HRH Eze Eunan Eke, the Okpor 1 of Umuokpor Autonomous community in Owerri West Local Government Area and his kinsmen.
The crises, has degenerated to the extent that the Imo state House of Assembly (IMHA) has intervened in the matter based on the strength of several petitions against the Eze.
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In several petitions against the monarch, copies which were made available to the weekend Trumpeta, the monarch was accused of several allegations, ranging from abuse of office and disregard of the directives of the Governor that traditional rulers should reside at home, attempt to confer chieftaincy titles on a Northerner and other clandestine activities, etc
In a letter to the Speaker, Imo state House of Assembly and signed by Ajero Chijoke on behalf of Umuokpor Development Union, the monarch was accused of going against the Governor’s directive to relocate and reside at home. They allege that he currently resides inLagoswhere he directs affairs of the community.
Part of the letter reads “Eze Eunan Ekeh has commercialized Ezeship stool by bringing in unknown and questionable characters to confer chieftaincy titles for financial gain. And to achieve the above, he has suspended the constitution of the community and operates as a dictator”.
In another letter by the community’s Youth Association and signed by Ekeuihe Stanley (Acting Youth President), Nworgu Chinedu (Acting Secretary),they frowned at his constant violation of the community’s constitution.
The Youths accused the monarch of setting up committees for fourth tier Government without the input or contributions of the Youth Associations and the Town Unions.
“As that is not enough, he appointed a nominal President General, Youth President and Speaker while we all are waiting for the Fourth tier election directive from the House of Assembly”. The letter stated.
In another petition by the community’s vigilante coordinator, Onwukwe Franklin and addressed to the Ministry of Local Government/Chieftaincy Affairs, the traditional ruler was accused of not paying the vigilante.
Onwukwe complained that since the month of August 2011, no vigilante member of the community has received their entitled monthly salary.
The letter reads in part “we don’t know if this pattern of payment is applicable to other communities. The worst of it all is that we were been forced to sign payroll of August and September salary that we did not collect”
It continued “The Eze said that our failure to sign will lead to our not collecting subsequent salaries”
The Vigilante group also alleged that the monarch is causing division in the group by paying salaries to those he considers to be loyal to him. The group also complained of Eze Eke is seeming indifference to some criminal activities taking place in Umuokpor.
Part of the vigilante letter reads in part “A rape case was reported to me (Onwukwe) on the 8th of January. 2012, which we arrested one Ifeanyi Chukwu and handed him over to the Police but the Eze asked the Police to let him go, that he will handle the matter and give them a report which he never did’’
The Vigilante Spokesman also accused Eze Eke of Presenting different persons as President General and Youth Leaders to a team of government functionaries who came to inspect facilities for the Community Council Secretariat.
In separate petition by Umuokpor Development Union and signed by Achonwa Christian, Acting President General of theUnion, they accused the Eze of avoiding the Town Unions in all the activities of the Fourth Tier Government. He was also accused of attempting of disregarding the constitution of the community following his intention to confer a chieftaincy title on an Hausa man.
In his response, Eze Eke told the Imo Trumpeta that the allegations are baseless and unfounded.
He said his ordeal is the handi work of his detractors and enemies who are bent on rubbishing his throne.
He stated that those after him are those he conferred Chieftaincy tittles in his community last December and are bent on hijacking the fourth tier system of government in his community.
