The Ishienu Amofu Nkerefi community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State has called the attention of the Enugu State Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Okey Ogbodo, against presenting a staff of office and certificate of return to one Christian Agu as their traditional ruler.

In an open letter signed by the National Chairman, Prince Ifeanyi Ezeoha, and Secretary-General, Emmanuel Ogbonna, the Ishienu Amofu Peoples Assembly cautioned the commissioner against acting on a case that is currently in the Enugu State High Court.

In their letter, the community stated, “The matter of Igweship in Ishienu Amofu Nkerefi has not yet been concluded and is currently in court. For the avoidance of doubt, the Commissioner’s attention is again drawn to the case with file number E/906/2024—between Benedict Ogbu & And Others Versus Christian Michael Ogbonna & And Others.”

See the letter reproduced below: “The Ishienu Amofu Peoples Assembly has noted with alarm that there are plans by the Enugu State Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development & Chieftancy Affairs, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, to issue to one Mr Christian Agu a staff of office and a certificate of return, as the Igwe of Ishienu Amofu Nkerefi community.

According to information available to us, this act will be taken at a lavish ceremony at the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development & Chieftaincy Affairs in Enugu on Monday, March 24.

This organization, the Ishienu Amofu Peoples Assembly, hereby wish to call the attention of the Honourable Commissioner that the matter of Igweship in Ishienu Amofu Nkerefi has not yet been concluded and is currently in court. For the avoidance of doubt, the Commissioner's attention is again drawn to the case with file number E/906/2024- between Benedict Ogbu & And Others Versus Christian Michael Ogbonna & And Others.

This case is still being heard by the Enugu State High Court.

Please note that a matter like this pending in court has no business in your office sir, as the court is yet to pass judgment. We therefore call your attention, sir, to avoid committing an illegality by holding a Nigerian court in contempt and thereby abusing the Nigerian constitution, which you swore to defend in your service to the people of Enugu State and Nigerians.

Also note that Forms 48 and 49 of the Nigerian court spell out the consequences of disobedience of the court, which your office would have committed by issuing the said items to this man who does not represent our people since such issuance would mean an imposition upon our people, a man whom the good people of Ishienu Amofu Nkerefi never voted for to reign over us.

Sir, while we draw your attention to this, we wish to plead with you not to soil your hard-earned good name by supporting an illegality against our people.

He has spent a lot of funds to impose himself on us. He has been able to convince many who are ignorant of the situation that he was elected, whereas no election was held in our community whatsoever.

He has also gone to the Press, holding press conferences, interviews and such to create an impression that he is Igwe Ishienu Amofu Nkerefi.

We also understand he has spent a lot more to hold a lavish celebration, having invited his friends and allies, and has hired buses to bring in people from our hometown to create a make-believe situation that he has been made Igwe.

In all these, he has failed to take the right steps, by addressing the matter in court. All he needed to do was convince the court that an election was held where he emerged as the Igwe. Mr Agu has deliberately refused to do this since he knew that he was not honest and intended to take the Igweship position by force, leaving our people with no option. This is not the Stone Age, and whoever will be our Igwe must be elected by the people.

Mr Christian Agu should pass through the proper electoral process, and if our people unilaterally vote him into office, no one will stand in his way, as we all want the vacuum left by our last Igwe to be filled and join other progressive communities.

Please, do not allow Mr Christian Agu to also deceive you, and play to the gallery by issuing a government certificate and staff of office to an impostor.

Thanks for your understanding,

Signed,

Prince Ifeanyi Ezeoha,

National Chairman

Emmanuel Ogbonna Kelvin,

Secretary-General.