Anxiety is gradually taking over the life of a number of traditional rulers in Imo State following the trial of 50 monarchs by a special fact finding committee set up by the Eze Samuel Ohiri led Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers.
The trial which is an extension of the recent suspension of four prominent Ezes is raising concern in the state especially among the affected traditional rulers who have received letter requesting them to appear before the panel today.
Trumpeta was reliably informed that the trial of the Ezes suspected to have committed an offence alleged to have contravened laws of the monarchs will hold at the secretariat of Ndi Eze Imo, New Owerri.
Feelers however revealed that the trial coming two weeks after Ezes, like Eze Njemanze of Owerri and Eze Desmond Ogugua of Mbaise were suspended is a sheer smokescreen as stiffer sanctions have already been reserved for the shortlisted monarchs. The said sanctions rangs from dethronement to suspension of affected persons.
It was further gathered that some affected monarchs are secretly reaching out to the head of the panel, Eze Chidume Okoro, Deputy chairman, Ndi Eze Imo, Owerri zone and chairman, Owerri zonal council of traditional rulers, for mercy
In a related development, the Imo State Government has denied involvement in the suspension and trial of the Ezes. A statement from the Chief Press Secretary, to the governor, Sam Onwemedo said that the attention of the governor has been drawn to the action adding that it has no hand in it.
“The attention of the Rescue Mission Government in the state has been drawn to the reported suspension of four traditional rulers in the state and the trial of more than fifty other Ezes by the state council of traditional rulers for what the council had described as bizarre manner with which they defiled or disobeyed the directive of the Council and the state government not to honour any meeting conveyed or summoned by the sacked chairman of the Council and deposed traditional ruler of Obinugwu Autonomous Community, Cletus Ilormeanya.
“It is important to remark at this point that while the state government takes exception to the action of the traditional rulers in question, it has no hand in the suspension of the four traditional rulers and the trial of more than fifty others by the Ezes’ Council.
“The government in the state with Owelle Rochas Okorocha as governor has a culture. The culture of not being vindictive even at the height of provocation. The suspension and trial of the concerned traditional rulers remain entirely the business of the HRM Eze Samuel Ohiri led Council.
“The Rescue Mission Government in the state has never taken delight in taking any drastic measure against any traditional ruler over politically related or politically motivated action in the state because of the high premium it places on the value of the Ezeship stool in the state and the high regard it has for the individual traditional rulers, but cannot interfere in the activities of the Council especially with regard to the handling of issues concerning the conduct of the members of the Ezes Council by the leadership of the body.
“The State Government will however not hesitate to act on the recommendations of the Ezes Council as long as it would be in the interest of the state.
“This explanation has become increasingly necessary to set the record straight with regard to the referenced actions of the Ezes Council in the state on their members.
The government will continue to be on the page of making Imo the envy of other states to the glory of God”.
