
File photo: An Igbo crown
The Anambra East Traditional Rulers Council has slammed a one-year
suspension on the traditional ruler of Umueri community, Igwe Ben Emeka,
after being caught “violation of the customs and tradition of Igbo
land” governing breaking of kolanuts, Sun News reports.
Chairman of the council and the traditional ruler of Mkpunando
Aguleri –Otu community, Igwe Alex Edozieuno who signed the suspension
notice dated January 31, 2019, noted that Igwe Emeka had been barred
from attending meetings of the council for one year.
Giving insight into what led to the suspension order, the council
noted that the Okebo of Umueri “grabbed the kolanuts from the hands of
Chief Tony Oli who represented Governor Obiano during his thank-you
visit to Otuocha community.
“The Chairman, Anambra East Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe
Alex Edozieuno, advised him to keep quiet and play to the rules because
he is the youngest of all the traditional rulers. He started abusing him
instead that he is from “mmanyi” (i.e across Anambra River) and should
not expect to be the one to break the kola-nuts.
“Ezendo Mkpunando reminded him that he is from Uromi in Edo
State. Chief Oli asked them who their chairman was and Okebo rightly
said that Ezendo Mkpunando, Igwe Edozienu was their chairman.
The chairman who is now 16 years on the throne respectfully
recognised the presence of Igwe Chukwuemka Eri of Enugu Aguleri-Uno
community who is now over 30 years on the throne and Igwe Okalakwu of
Igbariam also over 30 years and as well the Patron of the Council of
Traditional Rulers. He handed over the kolanuts to Igwe Okalakwu their
patron to perform Igbo prayers.”
Giving further insight into what transpired, the chairman of the
Council of Traditional Rulers noted that at this point, Igwe Emeka got
annoyed and insisted that he was the rightful person to break the
kolanuts because he claimed that he was the son-of-the-soil and started
another quarrel with the chairman which resulted into fracas in the
presence of the governor and their subjects.
The council, while handing down a disciplinary action on the
traditional ruler described his action as a gross misconduct and
flagrant violation of the etiquettes of Igbo customs and tradition.
They asked Umueri community to nominate another person to be
representing them in their council meetings till the suspension order
elapsed.
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