A High Court in Imo state has further frustrated efforts of the state government to stop the celebration of the annual Iriji (New Year) festival of the Eze Cletus Ilomuanya whose position as Obi of Obinugwu and chairman of Imo South East monarchs has been constantly disturbed by the Okorocha government.
Until recently, Ilomuanya who has won about two legal battles against Imo state government and Okorocha over his removal form office as chairman of Imo state Council of Traditional Rulers again got dethronement treatment from the state governor after the Obi of Obinugwu took over following Appeal Court ruling quashing challenges from Okorocha and Ohiri
In a renewed battle orchestrated by Okorocha, Ohiri and the Transition Committee chairman of Orlu LGA, Eddy Olumba, (Mr E), Justice K.A Orjiako put paid their desire to stop the Ilomuanya Iriji scheduled for yesterday at his Obinugwu palace, Orlu.
At Mgbidi High Court, Eze Ohiri and Olumba had gone to court seeking ex-part motion to stop the event. On getting the hint of court action, the camp of Ilomuanya who were not notified and properly served the process however appeared in court through counsel who on Wednesday argued that it was breach of legal process to get ahead with such a matters when the parties involved have not been duely communicated. Justice Orjiako agreed on the submissions of the counsel to Obi of Obinugwu and ordered the matter to be adjourned to yesterday, the day of the event to enable all parties to the matter be properly served.
On resumption on Thursday, it was discovered that the earlier position of Justice Orjiako had not been complied with, forcing the judge to adjourn to Sept 3, 2014 for further hearing of the matter, but did not fail to frown at the approach of the defence to the matter
The adjournment was no good news to the state government who had perfected strategies to stop the Iriji festival after Okorocha had set up a committee led by the SSG, Prof Tony Anwuka to select a new monarch for people of Obinugwu autonomous community.
Trumpeta had earlier gathered that in view of a favourable court decision before Orjiako adjournment, the LGA boss had allegedly mobilized miscreants and street urchins with unsuspecting keke operators to cause mayhem on the road to Obinugwu to scare guests and invitees from attending the Obinugwu from Orlu new yam festival.
At the event, President Goodluck Jonathan who was represented by labour Minister, Emeka Nwogu donated a cow be recognizing the position of Ilomuanya as a monarch which nobody will take away.
Former governor, Ikedi Ohakim said that Ilomuanya signifies a true custodian of Igbo land stating that “anybody who touches him is looking for doom upon himself as he is lover of all” Senator Hope Uzodimma averred that time has come for justice to be given to the people of Imo state. According to the Senator representing Orlu zone “Okorocha has no power to dethrone Ilomuanya…. The Egyptians in Imo is already packing out”
The Igbo Youth Cultural Association (IYCA) threatens Okorocha to redress his steps against Eze Ilomuanya or face open war.
Meanwhile, Ohaneze Ndigbo has crowned Ilomuanya as grand patron worldwide.
Other dignitaries who attended the event foreign Minister, Prof Viola Onwuliri, Chief Jerry Chukwueke, Eze Duruiheoma (SAN), Rt Hon Goodluck Nanah Opiah and Reps member Jones Onyeriri.
