An aggrieved party in the Awkuzu kingship tussle has served the Anambra State government notice of legal action for allegedly issuing a certificate of recognition to the traditional ruler of Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State, His Royal Highness, Igwe Prof. Charles M. Anikweze, despite an allegation that his enthronement did not conform with due process.
The aggrieved faction represented the trio of Emeka Chinweze, Emmanuel Ifeanyi Anizoba and Mr Mbazuluike Akwubu, has through its counsels, Joy Nzekwe and Raphael O. Nzekwe, served the state government with pre-action notice through the Secretary to the State Government, (SSG) Solo Chukwulobelu, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the certificate of recognition issued to the monarch or face court action.
According to them the reliefs to be sorted in court include, a declaration that the monarch is not the traditional ruler of Awkuzu, an order of the court compelling the defendant (government) to withdraw the certificate of recognition it issued to the monarch, and an order restraining him from parading himself as the traditional ruler of the community.
They recalled that the monarch was issued a certificate of recognition on the 2nd day of May 2019 without following the process of selection, approval, installation, and coronation as stipulated by the Awkuzu chieftaincy constitution of 1992.
The pre-action notice read in part:
“The Awkuzu chieftaincy constitution 1992 was not followed during the purported selection of the monarch. The approval process was not done at all, there was neither installation nor swearing-in because the process of selection was faulty and other procedures were not complied with.
“Ndi Ichie and the executive of Awkuzu Progressive Union, APU, who were supposed to select him challenged his occupation of the traditional stool because none of them participated in the kangaroo selection done by those not recognised by the constitution.
The group said the Okpala Awkuzu did not coronate him and did not also issue him with ‘offor’ Awkuzu noting that the APU neither issued him with a staff of office nor administered an oath of allegiance and of office, which were supposed to be done at the public square.
“One of the members of Ndi Ichie, filed a suit at Otuocha High court, suit No. OT/235/2027, Ichie Ignatius Ananti V, Dr. E.C. Chira and nine others. The monarch was the 6th defendant in the suit and the court nullified the process of selecting the monarch”, the group said.
The firm representing the aggrieved group said the letter served on the SSG represented a pre-action notice in line with the state’s legal proceedings noting that its clients would not hesitate to ventilate their grievances if nothing were done urgently to withdraw the certificate of recognition issued by the government to Igwe Anikweze as his enthronement had been nullified by a court of competent jurisdiction.
