Confusion in Nteje Comunity as two traditional rulers emerge, Dr Charles Aduaka, now Igwe-elect as Odegbo Rowland kicks

www.odogwublog.com reports that there is confusion in Nteje Community as two traditional rulers have emerged.

Before now, Chief Rowland Odegbo, Obiano's strong man and supporter was addressed as the traditional ruler of Nteje community but just weekend a new traditional ruler was elected.

The traditional ruler-elect of Nteje community in Oyi local government area of Anambra State,  is Dr Charles Aduaka.

Aduaka has appealed to indigents of the community to refrain from further destruction of lives and properties of their kinsmen in as much as the state government has waded into the crisis,with a view of resolving the impasse in the community amicably.

Nteje community was recently engulfed in crisis which claimed some lives and properties worth millions of naira destroyed, which led to  subsequent arrest of some the  indigents by security agents.


Dr. Aduaka, who spoke to newsmen in Enugu, expressed absolute confidence that the state government's intervention in the crisis will provide solutions that would end the crisis once and for all.


His words, The main reason for government’s intervention in the crisis “is to ensure that the ensuing dispute is resolved and forestall people taking the laws into their hands while appropriate actions is taken within the ambits of the law.”


He  explained that the root cause of the crisis was attributed to intra community squabble in one of the community's quarter and  not aftermath of chieftaincy tussle as being speculated in several parts of Nteje community.


“For the avoidance of doubt, after the demise of the Igwe Aborgu I, Igwe S.A.C Nnaemeka, the Igwe-in-Council requested the quarter which it was their turn to produce the next Igwe by electing among themselves a candidate that will be presented to the community.


“On 25th July 2009 during Nteje Peoples Assembly at Ama-Ana square, the Ikenga quarter could not produce a single candidate instead four candidates emerged namely Peter Chidi Uyanwa, Charles Aduaka, Ikechukwu Okechukwu and Rowland Odegbo.


“Based on the provisions of Constitution of Nteje community, Article 4 subsection c – j, the mandate of selecting the Igwe was taken over by the Igwe-in-Council and a new timetable was drawn for intending aspirants by the Igwe-in-Council.


“Only two of the candidates, Peter Uyanwa and Charles Aduaka participated in the process and December 28, 2009 was earmarked for the election.


“On the day of the election, Peter Chidi Uyanwa stepped down for me, (Charles Aduaka) and a referendum was conducted and I got over 3,500 votes. On January 2, 2010 the (Igwe-elect) was presented to Nteje community at Ama-Ana square Nteje.


“On January 10, Nteje community presented the Igwe-elect, Charles Aduaka, to Oyi local government waiting for the Secretary to the local government to present same to the governor in compliance with Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law.”


Continuing, Aduaka said that a letter was subsequently written to the then governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, calling for recognition of Rowland Odegbo, who he said,  did not participate in the selection process conducted by the Igwe-in-Council.


Surprisingly, Odegbo went ahead to parade himself as the traditional ruler of Nteje on account of which Aduaka headed for the Anambra State High court, Otuocha where he instituted a suit number OT/35/2010 and on 18th June 2012, the court presided by Hon Justice J I Nweze made an order restraining him from parading himself as the Igwe of Nteje, Aduaka said.


According to him, Odegbo went on appeal and on 10th November 2016, the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division in Appeal No. CA/E/322/2012 dismissed his appeal in an unanimous decision for lack of merit.  He said that Odegbo further claimed to have appealed the decision of Appeal Court  to the Supreme Court and  it was on that strength upon which he has continued to parade himself as traditional ruler.


This, Aduaka contended, was contrary to the position of the Attorney-General of the Federation issued on 7th March 2014 that a notice of appeal does not serve as a stay, an indication that Odegbo’s action was contrary the rule of law and order of the court.


“What I am saying is that Odegbo has no legal right to parade himself as traditional ruler of Nteje and all those who are dealing with him in that regard as Traditional ruler of Nteje Community are acting  contrary to the rule of law and order of the court and he should allow peace to prevail in the community,” Aduaka said.


Reacting to a comment by a renowned actor, Pete Edochie, a native of the community who referred to Odegbo as traditional ruler of Nteje, Aduaka said that he (Edochie) was not properly informed as he was not present during the selection and presentation processes.


He described his comment as out of place more so when the matter was now before the Supreme Court after Odegbo had lost at the High court and the Court of appeal.





Photo: 203 years old Iroko tree in Nteje