By Celephina Onovo
The traditional ruler of Eziala Nguru Umunneato Autonomous community in Aboh Mbaise local government area of Imo state, His Royal Highness Eze Leo Nwokocha has been sued to court by the Mbaise highest decision making body, Ezurueze Mbaise, for his alleged involvement in the plan to confer a chieftaincy title on the son in-law of governor Rochas Okorocha, Uche Nwosu against the wish of the people of Mbaise.
Nwosu, also Okorocha’s chief of staff is being foisted on the people of Imo state by his father in-law and efforts being made across the length and breadth of Imo to secure the buy in of major autonomous communities in the state so as to further advance his political interest.
Nwosu’s aspiration has even torn apart the once united All Progressive Congress (APC) due to the disagreement by key party members that the governorship candidate for the 2019 election in Imo should not come Orlu zone that has ruled for an unbroken 16 years of two terms through Achike Udenwa and Rochas Okorocha. Nwosu comes from Nkwere in Orlu.
Okorocha insists on Nwosu in what many many said was an agenda to cover his tracks after years of mis-administration.
Eze Nwokocha was said to have been one of the arrowheads for the Mbaise nation to confer a chieftaincy title on Nwosu, but the people, both at home and in the Dispoara have kicked against the idea, with the Mbaise sons and daughters in the Diaspora signing in to stop the conferment project slated for Wednesday, August 15 at Itu in Ezinihitte Mbaise, the area with the hosting right for the 2018 Ji- Mbaise Day.
Ezuruezu Mbaise had earlier issued a powerful warning to all traditional rulers in Mbaise to remain in their respective domain to celebrate this year’s new yam festival until further notice.
However, because some of the monarchs had been allegedly compromised by the interested Imo State government, they resorted to questioning the authority of the Ezurueze Mbaise to bar them from celebrating the new yam centrally, arguing that only the Mbaise Ezeji’s could take such a decision.
It was their determined effort to compel the event to hold that led to the government forced all Mbaise monarchs to attend a meeting where they were forced to write their names, with a threat that if they fail to show up at the event on August 15 their titles will be revoked.
Consequent upon this latest development, Ezuruezu Mbaise has decided to seek the leave of the court to deal with the situation.
As a first measure, the body advised all Mbaise monarchs not to bulge, and to take a cue from the recent priests who shunned a meeting with the Pope over an injustice meted out to them.
Plaintiffs in the suit are Cyril Anyanwu, Oliver Enwerenem, Eddie Oparaoji, Hamilton Okere, Jude Nwawudu, Chukwunyere Ikwu, Francis Iheanacho and Casca Ohanaele while the defendant is HRH Eze Leo Nwokocha.
The writ of summons directs the defendant monarch to show appearance with 42 days of the service or be prepared to face court judgement if he does the contrary.
Sources said most of the Mbaise monarchs have distanced themselves from the project after Ezuruezu Mbaise issued a statement, but the compromised ones were determined to see to the end because of their involvement in Imo state politics with Okorocha and his political associates.
Writ of summons to HRH Leo Nwokocha