Igbo News

Proof That HRH Igwe Nick Muodum Obi Is Causing Breach Of Peace In Nnobi: A Concerned Letter From The Town To Governor Charles Soludo

In a previous report from 4^th of April 2024, the people of Nnobi accused their traditional ruler, HRH Igwe Nick Muodum Obi, of allegedly threatening the peace of Nnobi by using his office to intimidate and harass notable members of the Town Union, reporting that the Igwe is involved in “intimidation, meddlesomeness, and alleged compromise and allegedly facilitating and compromising the Chief Magistrate of Nnobi Magistrate Court to commit the President General of Nnobi community, Barr. Dominic Okpala is to be remanded in custody over a minor contempt breach.” They called on Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra State to intervene and secure peace in Nnobi.

In this report, they have provided accompanying evidence backing their complaints against HRH Igwe Nick Muodum Obi. Below is a press statement and accompanying documents provided by Nze Sir Emmanuel Ezeonu, KSJI, on behalf of the people of Nnobi:

PRESS STATEMENT

To the esteemed members of the press and the general public,

We bring to your attention a pressing matter concerning the breakdown of peace in Nnobi Town, Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State. The root cause of this unrest stems from the actions of HRH Igwe Nick Muodum Obi, the traditional ruler of Nnobi, and his Igwe in Council.

As you know, Section 11 of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law provides that the constitution that is used in the selection of the Traditional Ruler in any community is the highest authority in the decision-making of the town.

The Nnobi Town Constitution, revised in 2011, is the extant constitution of Nnobi. The 2011 constitution is the constitution that is recognized by the Anambra State Government and has been used by Nnobi till date.

The Annual Representative General Meetings (ARGM) of Nnobi, which is the highest decision-making organ in Nnobi equally in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 clearly re-emphasized that the 2011 constitution is what is operational in Nnobi.

However, the Igwe in Council (IIC), a body created by the Nnobi Town Constitution, introduced a by-law that contradicts the town union constitution, claiming to be the supreme authority and custodian of customs, culture, and tradition.

The Manipulation and Arrogance of the IIC:

It is alleged that the Igwe took the members of the Igwe in Council to a secret oath of superiority, binding them not to speak out for the Nnobi people they represent but to remain submissive and loyal to Igwe Nnobi. This has led to arrogance and disrespect for the constitution and has resulted to the Igwe’s defiance and refusal to operate the 2011 constitution, instead Igwe Nnobi rules with an iron fist and total disregard to the town’s administrative arm.

In a bid to stem the crisis in Nnobi, the Hon. Commissioner for Local govt wrote a letter to Ndi Nnobi on 4/9/24. Paragraph (12) of the said letter reads “If the termination/suspension of Ichie Donatus Oguejiofor (Ichie Ugoabata) as Ichie Nnobi was not in conformity with the Nnobi town constitution (section 136. 2) Ichie Ugoabata should be recalled to the Igwe in council immediately.

Bearing in mind that Ichie Ugoabata was suspended some time in 2020 about 5 years now the Igwe has refused to call him back.

The Nnobi town constitution 2011, Section 136(1a) stipulated that where an Ichie after due and careful deliberations by the IIC is found to have grossly misbehaved or performed below what is considered reasonable standards, such Ichie shall be suspended for a period of One year but in this case, he has been suspended arbitrarily by the Igwe for 5 years.

Ichie Igwebuike was also recently suspended by the Igwe.

Note that under qualifications of an Ichie, section 135(h) of 2011 Constitution, states that “any Ichie elect shall be a financial member of NWO who must have shown interest in the affairs of Nnobi and ready to attend ward, village, quarter, cabinet and NWO meetings”

So, this part of the constitution empowered Ichie Igwebuike Okonkwo to vote at the ARGM of 2024 during the voting process to pass the Constitution amendment of 2024 which was approved by the office of the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs in a widely circulated letter to Ndi Nnobi.

Ichie Igwebuike was wrongly suspended in very ambiguous nonexistent claims of violation by the Igwe for attending the ARGM meeting on 31st December 2024 and voting for the ratified constitution amendment and submission by the Town Union to the government for approval.

It is his constitutional rights as an Ichie of his ward and Member of NWO. The Igwe has to call him back immediately.

The Igwe’s actions have led to a breakdown of peace in Nnobi, with the community divided over the issue of constitutional supremacy. The ARGM’s refusal to succumb to the Igwe’s manipulative tendencies has resulted in the Igwe Nnobi losing popularity in the community.

Igwe Nnobi printed and presented a non-recognized 2019 constitution which is an unknown document to the Anambra State Government sometimes in 2020 claiming the document was ratified, however the Secretary of the constitution Committee debunked Igwe’s claims that the constitution was completed before the death of Dr. Edokobi Ofodile the late PG Emeritus at that time.

The Nnobi people at CEC and ARGM stated that the draft 2019 constitution was never approved at the Town Union nor ratified by the general house but the Igwe insists on using the 2019 constitution at the Igwe in Council because he manipulated it to derive powers to act Arbitrarily.

Our Call to Action is to the Governor Prof. Charles Soludo to intervene in this matter and direct the Igwe Nnobi to respect the constituted authority of Nnobi as enshrined in the 2011 Nnobi Town Constitution which is approved and recognized by the state Government.

We humbly pray that Your Excellency:

1. Calls the Igwe Nnobi to order and direct him to respect the constituted authority of Nnobi and the 2011 constitution.

2.Take necessary steps to restore peace in Nnobi Town and ensure that the Igwe in Council operates within the bounds of the law and the constitution.

3.In order to Ensure Accountability please Direct the Igwe to account for his actions and ensure that he respects the will of the people as expressed in the ARGM.

We believe that Your Excellency’s intervention will bring peace and stability to our community, and we look forward to your prompt action.

Signed:

Nze Sir Emmanuel Ezeonu. KSJI

For the Concerned Citizens of Nnobi Town