Trouble looms in ?ba community, Idemmili South Council area of Anambra State following pending court cases against the planned election of a new traditional ruler for the community.

At the last count, there are three suits instituted by different people from the community, praying that the election be suspended pending the outcome of the suits.

They are Suit No. HID/123/2024, HID/223/2024 and HID/423/2024.

The Anambra State Government was said to have even intervened by writing to the community through the President General, explaining the position of the law, which is that once a matter Is in court, that parties must await the decision of the court.

The Government through the Hon. Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Town Union, write to the President General of the Oba community, warning against holding the election when there is a court case challenging it.

In response to a petition by some concerned citizens of the community against holding the Igweship election, the commissioner wrote to the President General of the town, Engr. Anthony Uzochukwu Ejiofor and drew his attention to the position of the State Laws on Igweship election.

?The above subject refers: My office has earlier written to you on the above subject matter dated 2nd August, 2024, on the need to refrain from further actions pending the determination of the Suit No: HID/223/2024 in court.

?When a matter is pending in court, it is appropriate to maintain status quo and refrain from taking any further steps on the subject matter, in order not to render nugatory the judgment/ruling of the court.

?In the light of the ongoing court case, you are directed to stop all further actions regarding the amendment of the Constitution until the determination of Suit No: HID/223/2024 by the court, or at least the determination of the Motion on Notice: HID/902M/2024 pending before the court.

?The proposed amendment of the constitution cannot be done since it is a subject matter currently being litigated. It cannot be altered or amended in any way until the court reaches a decision or provides further directives.

?This is to ensure that the legal process is allowed to run its course without interference. Please be assured of my highest regards?, the letter said.

Meanwhile, in a new suit, No. HID/423/2024, instituted at Ogidi High Court by Okuzu village, they claimed that they were denied the right to choose their candidate for the Igweship election.

The suit was instituted on their behalf by their leaders, Hon. Ukadike Ibeabuchi, Mr. Chijioke Emechebe, Mr. Ekegbo Muokwe and Nze Obele Ejiofor. Joined as the respondents are Engr. Anthony Uzochukwu Ejiofor, the President General, Oba Patriotic Union; for himself and on behalf of the Incorporated Trustees of the Oba Patriotic Union, Mr. Nwabueze Emebo, Secretary General, Oba Patriotic Union, for himself and as representing the Incorporated Trustees, Darlington Chika Agha, Chairman, Igwe Ezeokpoko-11 Selection Election Committee,

For himself and on behalf of the entire members and Engr. Augustine Chinedum Emelobe, said to be the elected candidate of said Okuzu village for the Igweship election.

They are praying for an Order of interlocutory injunction restraining the President General and other Defendants/Respondents, ?acting either by themselves or by their proxies or agents, from conducting any election, primary or main, or taking any steps whatsoever in respect of choosing, selecting, affirming, nominating, adopting or declaring any person including the 4th Defendant/Respondent as the traditional ruler of Oba town pending the hearing and determination of the suit?.

They also seek an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the President General and other Defendants/Respondents, ?whether acting by themselves, or by their proxies, or agents from issuing any letter to the State Government, or to any law enforcement or security agency on behalf of the Oba town, for the purpose of fixing any election or the selection of the new traditional ruler of Oba town, pending the hearing and determination of the suit; an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the purported candidate from presenting himself or taking any steps to present himself for any election into the stool of the Igwe or Ezeokpoko of Oba town, and for such further order or orders as the court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.

They argued that the entire exercise that produced the purported candidate was fraught with fundamental breaches of the two constitutions regulating the affairs of Oba town and that irreparable damage will be inflicted on the village if they proceed with the Igweship election.

They also seek a declaration of the court that the primary election conducted on 31st May, 2024, for the selection of the Okuzu village?s candidate for the Oba town Igweship election is ultra vires, null and void as it fell outside the stipulated May 28, 2024 deadline.

They also claimed that the person purported to be to he candidate is not qualified to contest an election for the vacant Oba town traditional ruler?s stool by virtue of Chapter IV Section 4 (iv) of the Constitution of the Igwe and Eze-Okpoko of Oba, 1999 because he is not a member of the Ozo Society of the Okuzu Village. (Vanguard)

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