A looming crisis is threatening the Ekwenu autonomous community in Enugu state, Nigeria, as a result of an alleged plan to issue a certificate of return to one of the contenders for the Igweship stool, despite a court order against such action. Community leader, Chief Emma Ugwu, has sounded the alarm, warning that if Governor Peter Mbah does not intervene, the community may be plunged into chaos.
According to Ugwu, the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs is planning to ignore a subsisting court order and issue a certificate of recognition to Chinwe Eze as the traditional ruler of the community. This move, Ugwu claims, would be a blatant disregard for the rule of law and would throw the community into mayhem. He alleges that some traditional rulers have been persuaded to support this alleged illegality.
Ugwu, who is an Igweship nominee and plaintiff in a court case, has accused the Ministry of trying to commit contempt of court and obstruct justice. He claims that this would be the third time the respondents have flouted the court order, which has been in place pending the determination of the substantive suit. The court has repeatedly rejected motions to set aside the restraining order, and an appeal by Chinwe Eze is still pending.
“We want to caution political appointees not to abuse their office by engaging in lawlessness,” Ugwu said. “A matter that is subjudice with a valid court order should be respected.” He emphasized that the duty of public officials is to uphold the law and order, and that their offices are not personal estates to be used for selfish purposes.
Ugwu has appealed to Governor Mbah to intervene in the matter, warning that the attempt to compromise the rule of law has the potential to throw the community into chaos and violence. He urged the governor to take note of the development and intervene through the Attorney General to prevent the commissioner from compromising the due process of the law.
As the situation stands, the commissioner and the Udenu local government chairman have yet to respond to the allegations. The community remains on edge, awaiting the outcome of this potential crisis. With the rule of law hanging in the balance, it remains to be seen whether the governor will intervene to prevent chaos and ensure that justice is served.
