By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Awka High Court 3 in Anambra State has declared Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo of Nawfia in Njikoka Local Government Area of the state as the authentic traditional ruler of the community.

Nwankwo, who have served as the traditional ruler of the town since the gruesome murder of his father, late Chief FFBC Nwankwo, on February 15, 2000, was one of the 12 traditional rulers in the state suspended in August of 2021 by the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, for travelling out of the state to see President Muhammadu Buhari in the company of an illustrious son of the state, Prince Arthur Eze.

The governor’s grouse was that they did not obtain permission before leaving the state.

While Nwankwo’s certificate of recognition was withdrawn and given to one Chief Dan Obele, another popular flamboyant traditional ruler who was also suspended died in the process of waiting to regain his throne.

Nwankwo in his efforts to retain his throne took the matter to court and fought his case for over a year.

The court in its ruling on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, set aside the certificate of recognition given to Dan Obele and recognised Igwe Nwankwo as the authentic traditional ruler of the town.

The ruling further restrains anybody in Nawfia from parading as Igwe or Eze of Nawfia till the case (A/53/2021) is heard.

It also ruled that status quo remains, indicating that His Royal Highness, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo remains the Igwe/Eze Nawfia.

Since the ruling, Nwankwo’s house and that of his late father have turned to a Mecca of some sort as his subjects, loyalists, friends, and well wishers troop in to pay homage and express their joy over the outcome of the court process.