rulers in Imo State following the trial of 50 monarchs by a special
fact finding committee set up by the Eze Samuel Ohiri led Imo State
Council of Traditional Rulers.
The trial which is an extension of the recent suspension of four
prominent Ezes is raising concern in the state especially among the
affected traditional rulers who have received letter requesting them
to appear before the panel today.
Trumpeta was reliably informed that the trial of the Ezes suspected to
have committed an offence alleged to have contravened laws of the
monarchs will hold at the secretariat of Ndi Eze Imo, New Owerri.
Feelers however revealed that the trial coming two weeks after Ezes,
like Eze Njemanze of Owerri and Eze Desmond Ogugua of Mbaise were
suspended is a sheer smokescreen as stiffer sanctions have already
been reserved for the shortlisted monarchs. The said sanctions rangs
from dethronement to suspension of affected persons.
It was further gathered that some affected monarchs are secretly
reaching out to the head of the panel, Eze Chidume Okoro, Deputy
chairman, Ndi Eze Imo, Owerri zone and chairman, Owerri zonal council
of traditional rulers, for mercy
In a related development, the Imo State Government has denied
involvement in the suspension and trial of the Ezes. A statement from
the Chief Press Secretary, to the governor, Sam Onwemedo said that the
attention of the governor has been drawn to the action adding that it
has no hand in it.
"The attention of the Rescue Mission Government in the state has been
drawn to the reported suspension of four traditional rulers in the
state and the trial of more than fifty other Ezes by the state council
of traditional rulers for what the council had described as bizarre
manner with which they defiled or disobeyed the directive of the
Council and the state government not to honour any meeting conveyed or
summoned by the sacked chairman of the Council and deposed traditional
ruler of Obinugwu Autonomous Community, Cletus Ilormeanya.
"It is important to remark at this point that while the state
government takes exception to the action of the traditional rulers in
question, it has no hand in the suspension of the four traditional
rulers and the trial of more than fifty others by the Ezes' Council.
"The government in the state with Owelle Rochas Okorocha as governor
has a culture. The culture of not being vindictive even at the height
of provocation. The suspension and trial of the concerned traditional
rulers remain entirely the business of the HRM Eze Samuel Ohiri led
Council.
"The Rescue Mission Government in the state has never taken delight in
taking any drastic measure against any traditional ruler over
politically related or politically motivated action in the state
because of the high premium it places on the value of the Ezeship
stool in the state and the high regard it has for the individual
traditional rulers, but cannot interfere in the activities of the
Council especially with regard to the handling of issues concerning
the conduct of the members of the Ezes Council by the leadership of
the body.
"The State Government will however not hesitate to act on the
recommendations of the Ezes Council as long as it would be in the
interest of the state.
"This explanation has become increasingly necessary to set the record
straight with regard to the referenced actions of the Ezes Council in
the state on their members.
The government will continue to be on the page of making Imo the envy
of other states to the glory of God".
—Trumpeta
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