The Anambra State Authorities, by way of the state Ministry of Native Authorities, Chieftaincy and Neighborhood Affairs, has suspended the normal ruler of the Neni Kingdom, H.R.H Igwe Damian O. Ezeani.
Neni is in Anaocha Native Authorities Space of the state and Igwe Ezeani was suspended for conferring a chieftaincy title on the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
Ubah, who lately defected to the All Progressives Congress is reportedly getting set to battle for the governorship place forward of the 2025 governorship election within the state.
The suspension of the monarch was conveyed in a letter titled, ‘Discover of suspension of your recognition as conventional ruler of Neni’, which was signed by the Commissioner for Native Authorities, Chieftaincy and Neighborhood Affairs, Mr Tonycollins Nwabunwanne and dated January 8, 2024, with reference quantity MLGCCA/HC/2022/T/025/001/103.
It was additionally copied to the Commissioner of Police in Anambra and Director, Division of State Companies, Anambra State and made out there to journalists on Monday.
It learn, “The Code of Conduct for conventional rulers in Anambra (issued by the normal rulers) supplies that no conventional ruler can confer Chieftaincy title on anybody from outdoors his area (his neighborhood) with out acquiring the permission of the normal ruler of the recipient’s neighborhood.
“Moreover, within the curiosity of safety, order and good governance of the state, the state authorities has equally along with the Code of Conduct issued a directive by way of this Ministry to the impact that no such chieftaincy title must be conferred by a conventional ruler on a recipient outdoors his city/neighborhood with out acquiring clearance from the Ministry.
“Amongst different causes, this regulation is to curtail noticed abuses together with a rising pattern whereby a minority of conventional rulers have demonstrated a penchant for buying and selling Chieftaincy titles for cash thereby bringing the normal establishment to ridicule and disrepute.
“A overwhelming majority of conventional rulers conduct their exalted workplace with dignity and integrity and stick with the Code of Conduct and directives of the Ministry.
“Nevertheless, a tiny few nonetheless act recklessly and in whole disregard for the Code of Conduct of their workplace and directives of the supervising Ministry.
“For instance, a number of days in the past, a former conventional ruler deposed by a Court docket of regulation went forward to confer phantom Chieftaincy titles on 40 people in someday (some with questionable characters).”
The state authorities mentioned such conduct was unacceptable, insisting that it was a brazen disregard for regulation and order in addition to directives by lawful authorities, which can’t be tolerated within the new Anambra of at the moment.
“We now have acquired confirmed reviews that you just, as the normal ruler of Neni, conferred such a phantom Chieftaincy title at the moment on one Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in violation of the Code of Conduct and with out clearance from the Ministry.
“Whether or not or not your motion was for pecuniary causes as being insinuated in lots of quarters is irrelevant. What’s vital is that your motion is an affront to order and good governance.
“Within the gentle of the above, and for order and good governance, I’m directed to tell you that Mr Governor has within the train of his powers below Part 2 (C) of the Anambra State Conventional Rulers (Modification) Regulation, 2020, suspended your recognition as Conventional Ruler of Neni till additional discover.
“You’re additionally by this letter, required to indicate trigger why your Certificates of Recognition shouldn’t be withdrawn in step with the Conventional Rulers Regulation.
“Within the meantime, you’re suggested in your curiosity, to cease parading your self forthwith, as the normal ruler of the Neni neighborhood. Please settle for the assurances of my regards,” the assertion added.