Umueri traditional ruler, Igwe Ben Emeka ‘sacked’ amidst tension in Anambra East

Umueri: The Anambra East Traditional Rulers Council has slammed a one-year suspension on the traditional ruler of Umueri community, Igwe Ben Emeka, for “violation of the customs and tradition of Igbo land” governing breaking of kolanuts.

Igwe Emeka was lacking kolanuts etiquette and displaying poor knowledge of public Igbo tradition and culture.

He would be re-admitted after he must have undergone sufficient training in Igbo culture and tradition and upon tendering a certificate issued to him after such training.

READ ALSO: 2019 General Elections: Anglican cleric warns youths to shun thuggery

Meanwhile, his community has been asked to nominate someone who would represent it in the traditional rulers’ meetings and furnish the community with resolutions there.

The letter of suspension dated January 31, signed by His Royal Majesty, Igwe Alex A. Edozieuno, Ezendo of Mkpunando Aguleri 1, Chairman, Anambra East Traditional Rulers Council, was copied the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and Chairman, Anambra East local government.

Others copied were: Chairman, Anambra Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, Area Commander, Otuocha Police Command, the President General, Umueri General Assembly,  Divisional Police Officer of Otuocha Police station as well as the State Security Services,  Otuocha Command.

Chairman of the council and the traditional ruler of Mkpunando Aguleri –Otu community, Igwe Alex Edozieuno who signed the suspension notice dated January 31, 2019, noted that Igwe Emeka had been barred from attending meetings of the council for one year.

Giving insight into what led to the suspension order, the council noted that the Okebo of Umueri “grabbed the kolanuts from the hands of Chief Tony Oli who represented Governor Obiano during his thank-you visit to Otuocha community.

“The Chairman, Anambra East Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Alex Edozieuno, advised him to keep quiet and play to the rules because he is the youngest of all the traditional rulers. He started abusing him instead that he is from “mmanyi” (i.e across Anambra River) and should not expect to be the one to break the kola-nuts.

“Ezendo Mkpunando reminded him that he is from Uromi in Edo State. Chief Oli asked them who their chairman was and Okebo rightly said that Ezendo Mkpunando, Igwe Edozienu was their chairman.

The chairman who is now 16 years on the throne respectfully recognised the presence of Igwe Chukwuemka Eri of Enugu Aguleri-Uno community who is now over 30 years on the throne and Igwe Okalakwu of Igbariam also over 30 years and as well the Patron of the Council of Traditional Rulers. He handed over the kolanuts to Igwe Okalakwu their patron to perform Igbo prayers.”

Giving further insight into what transpired, the chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers noted that at this point, Igwe Emeka got annoyed and insisted that he was the rightful person to break the kolanuts because he claimed that he was the son-of-the-soil and started another quarrel with the chairman which resulted into fracas in the presence of the governor and their subjects.

The council, while handing down a disciplinary action on the traditional ruler described his action as a gross misconduct and flagrant violation of the etiquettes of Igbo customs and tradition.

They asked Umueri community to nominate another person to be representing them in their council meetings till the suspension order elapsed.