From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Abia State government has said it was considering appropriate actions to take against the ruling of an Abia High Court sitting Nkwoagu Isochi in Umunneochi Council, ordering it to withdraw the certificate of recognition given Eberechukwu Oji as Eze Aro IX.
The State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Ikechukwu Umunna, speaking to journalists in Umuahia, said the government has been served with the court order.
He added that the government was studying the court order and will soon decide on what to do.
Abia state government gave Eberechukwu Oji staff of office as a traditional ruler, which culminated in his coronation on July 27.
However, the President General of Ibom Isii, Adolphus Nwankwo instituted a suit against the state government, Eberechukwu Oji and others over the recognition.
Ruling on the preliminary objection, the presiding Judge, C Chido Nwakanma mandated and compelled the state government to immediately withdraw the staff of office given to Eberechukwu Oji as the traditional ruler of the community.
The Court further restrained Oji from parading himself as Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, pending the determination of the suit.
Justice Nwakanma equally restrained all the respondents and their agents in whatever name or nomenclature from harassing, intimidating or threatening the 19 Eze Ogos, Eze Asaga, Eze Ezeagwu, Eze IbomIsii with dethronement, arrest and detention in whatever manner.
Reacting to the ruling in a statement, Dr Agodi Kanu, Director of Communication to Godwin Kanu Idei, a contender to the throne said the implication of the order was that in the eyes of the law, Eberechukwu Eni Kanu Oji was never crowned Eze Aro.
Kanu said since that was the case, the staff of the office and the certificate of recognition issued to Oji by the government on January 26, are now in the hands of his principal.
“The said Coronation celebration that was held between 25th and 27th July 2024 was at best a ja.
“The purported 2024 Ikeji Aro circulating and signed by Nwamazi Pastor Eberechukwu Eni Kanu Oji, by reason of the court order, is a nullity and should be discountenanced in its entirety. The earlier released Calendar signed by His Majesty Eze Godwin Kanu Idei Kanu Okoro Oke in green pen remain unchallenged and sacrosanct.”
He enjoined the people to remain peaceful, and law-abiding and go about their lawful vocations without fears of harassment and intimidation.