…Asks Court To Stop Ujagba, Three Others
.The Traditional Ruler of Amanator Okporo Autonomous Community in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, Eze Chukwuemeka Silver Ibenye Ugbala, has urged his subjects to remain peaceful and shun any act capable of breaching law and order in the community.
The royal father who made the call while hinting on a suit he filed at an Orlu High Court challenging what he said is the action of Emeka Ujagba who according to him been parading himself as Eze of Amanator Okporo despite the fact that the community already has traditional ruler,duly recognized by the Government of Imo State.
Eze Ibenye Ugbala who averred that he is the son of late Eze V.N.C Ibenye Ugbala (Eze Ugo IV), emphasized that from time immemorial, the Ezeship of Okporo Ancient Kingdom, and now Amanator Okporo has been hereditary, adding that the Ibenye Ugbala Royal Family has continued to produce the traditional rulers of the community.
Eze Ibenye Ugbala further hinted that despite the peaceful process that led to his enthronement as the Traditional Ruler of Amanator Okporo which he said, was in accordance with the constitution of the community, Chief John Egolu, Chief Gilbert Okorie, and Emmanuel Odidika who are 2nd -4th defendants in the suit, allegedly went ahead purporting to install Emeka Ujagba as the Eze of Amanator Okporo community.
Eze Ibenye Ugbala therefore, prayed the court for “an order declaring as null and void, and setting aside the installation of the 1st defendant” Ujagba, as the Eze of Amanator Okporo Autonomous Community
He stressed that the alleged action of Ujagba in parading as the Eze of the Amanator Okporo, if not stopped, was capable of leading to breakdown of law and order in the community.
The traditional ruler is also praying the court for a declaration that by virtue of his recognition by the Governor of Imo State as the “Eze of Amanator Okporo Autonomous Community,” no other person including the said Ujagba has legal right to be installed as traditional ruler of the community.
Among other things, Eze Ibenye Ugbala further prayed the court for an order restraining the 5th defendant, that is the Imo State governor, “from according recognition” to Ujagba as the Eze of Amanator Okporo Autonomous Community.
Eze Ibenye Ugbala asked the court to award “the sum of N100 million jointly and severally against the 1st-4th defendants,” that is, Ujagba and the three others, “as examplary damages.”
