By Obi Chude
How on earth would Crown Prince Nonso Nwoko summon an Izu-Ani when he is not the Obi (king) as demanded by the custom and tradition of idumuje-ugboko?Even his Excellency, the Governor of Delta State. Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, during a recent Town hall meeting at Issele-Uku, as much as corroborated the clear as crystal eternal truth, when he alluded to the glaring fact that there is no Obi (King in Idumuje-ugboko)!
For the avoidance of doubt, it is only the Palace Chiefs led by the Iyase that can, in the absence of the Obi, convene an Izu-ani meeting.
It is also to be noted that when Obi Agbogidi Albert Nwoko 111 was alive and capable, Prince Martins Nwoko could have acted as directed. But with the “mysterious’’ passing on of the Obi, there is no place for Prince Martins Nwoko except to convene family meetings which of course cannot be an Izu-Ani (general meeting of the community).
In the light of the above, therefore, any attempt For Prince Martins Nwoko Or Prince Nonso Nwoko, to summon an Izu- Ani Is clearly not only an abuse of the customs and traditions of the citizens of idumuje-ugboko, but also a clearly unacceptable affront which must be resisted with all might, mirth, main and muscle.
So for emphasis sake, the only class of persons traditionally entitled to convene on Izu Ani meeting is the Council of Chiefs headed by the Iyase. it is wrong and outrightly laughable for the duo of Prince Martins Nwoko and Crown Prince Nonso Justin Nwoko to not only pretend that they can call such a meeting, but also unpardonable to exclude the Chiefs who are not supporting Crown Prince Nonso Nwoko in his quest to achieve his aims by circumventing the clearly laid down traditional due process of the land.
THE GENESIS
Despite the indisputable fact that they were not invited to the illegal meeting, they wanted to go and watch the proceedings but alas were prevented and harassed by the army of thugs and cultists recruited in the Palace by Prince Nonso Nwoko. Unknown to many, Denis Uwadiegwu Nwoko, a well known 419 (advance fee fraud) member of the family has been stockpiling arms. First, they formed a para military group tagged ‘’Anioma Security’’, numbering over 40, and well armed with guns and uniforms.
Proceeding from there, using the Idumuje-Ugboko Development Union (IUDU) platform of Okey Ifejioku, they organized a surrogate village group known as ‘’Nonso Youth Group’’ headed by Raymond Felix Omesiete who is using the UBA account details Raymond Alex Omesiete 2036978432 to raise funds for these terrorist groups, The arms, bullet proof vests and other ammunitions are allegedly procured through this Raymond Felix Omesiete, while they also have three (3) permanent native Doctors from Irrua in Edo State, on their payroll .
In legion ways, these men have been unleashing terror on the community. For starters Gladys Kogwuonye’s properties were destroyed, datto that of Kenneth Okoh, Achuzia bukana(IUDU Home President). Also, the Iyase, Chief Chris Ogwu, was manhandled and had his house ransacked while his car was destroyed. Chief Kennedy iloh and Peter Bamah, the community’s vigilante leader, were not only kidnapped, but were forcefully dragged to the palace, beaten and intimidated in the presence of Prince Nonso Nwoko. Denis Uwadiegwu Nwoko Mbanefo Nwoko and Uzor Nwoko. For Gladys kogwuonye who is the woman leader in Ugboko, she was forced to wash plates in the palace and write an undertaking that she will not lend her support ever again for Prince Ned Nwoko’s efforts to develop the community by siting a Sport’s University in Idumuje-Ugboko.
It is heartwarming that all these atrocities have been duly documented in the Police,DSS, And Military Intelligence.
Indeed, the military were present when one Cyprian, and okada rider was shot and killed in the palace precincts. According to the military, they could not retaliate because they (military) were outnumbered, and thus the dying Cyprian was left to bleed to death. This terror group also attacked Prince Ned Nwoko’s country home but was repelled by the security men in the house. They have shamelessly attacked schools, markets, burnt and destroyed the Iyase’s properties, burgled and vandalized Odogwu’s properties. Kemi’s shop and beat up the youths that are staunchly supporting Prince Ned Nwoko.
THE POSER
How can a potential king, if he is eventually crowned, terrorize his own community? He caused a crown to be placed on him and wore it at the interment of his father, the departed Obi, whose death is still subject to suspicions of foul play.
This is dearly abominable and a transgression of the laid down customs and traditions of the land.
THE LONG ARM OF THE LAW
As for those sponsoring these terrorist groups and making contribution to the UBA account of RAYMOND ALEX OMESIETE 2036978432, the long arm of the law will soon catch up with them.
The letter circulated by Okey Ifejokwu, inciting violence and calling for contributions to the above mentioned UBA account is enough evidence in involvement in criminality and will be dealt with accordingly.
REALITY TIME
It is time Prince Nonso Nwoko, his brothers and sisters (from his Ubulu-Uku mother), honour police invitation and explain how their father, the obi died. For now, it is widely believed that the late Obi was asphyxiated and strangled by persons suspected to be Prince Ejimofor Nwoko and Prince Obiajulu Nwoko . It is because of this that the surviving wives of the Obi smelt a rat and wrote a petition to the Inspector General of Police, raising alarm on how their husband died. They had hitherto been forcibly evicted and humiliated from the palace before the killing of the king.
GREATEST FEAR
The biggest fear Prince Nonso and his cohorts have is the investigation of the murder allegation. This clearly accounts for why they have refused to honour police investigations for routine interview. Indeed, the Izu – ani they convened and the manner with which it was convened was a diversionary tactic to shift focus from the murder allegation.
It is also no longer news that a civil action is ongoing at the Issele-Uku High Court on behalf of the 18 year old son of the late obi who is ,traditionally ,the rightful heir to the throne. No doubt, then, that this once peaceful community will remain without a king for years to come as Prince Nonso desperately clings on to a non-existent “Obi-elect” status. He presently cannot attend functions or even mix up with other kings.
FINALLY
A notable elder and late Professor, Somayina (Som) Nwoko ,prophetically wrote, three years ago, why Prince Nonso cannot be the obi. His vision and courage should be saluted for setting the records straight. This is thus a clarion called for all members of the Nwoko family, and indeed the community, to emulate him.
As it stand now, the issue, clear and chill as the reaches of outer space, is the sequence of events such as homicide as it pertains to the suspicious death of the Obi, the killing of an okada rider, Cyprian, inside the palace, coupled with the stock piling of arms and ammunition in the palace used by hundreds of Cultists recruited by Prince Nonso Nwoko, will evidently go a long way in defining the future of Udumuje-Ugboko.
Chude wrote in from Asaba
