ENUGU: Court sacks monarch for presenting fake certificate

An Enugu State High Court presided over by Justice Afam Nwobodo, on Tuesday, ordered the sack of the traditional ruler of Umuogbugbuagu Autonomous Community, Ugwuoba in Oji River Local Government Area of the State, Chief Anayo Anochili.

Justice Nwobodo held that Anochili was not qualified to contest for the Igweship stool, having presented a questionable Secondary School Certificate.

The judge handed down the order while delivering judgment in a suit challenging the eligibility of the sacked traditional ruler by his co-contestant to the throne, Chief Nathan Nwangwu.

Nwangwu had dragged the embattled monarch to court, seeking to be declared the rightful person to occupy the Igweship seat of the community, adding that his presentation to the state government for recognition was truncated by Anochili.

The sacked Igwe however, told the court that he polled the majority of lawful votes cast during the Igweship election, and was thereafter presented with a letter of recognition.

Justice Nwobodo, after reviewing their arguments, said he found merits in the arguments of the plaintiff, Nwangwu, that Anochili was not qualified in the first place.

Read also: CORONAVIRUS: UK goes on total lockdown, records 52 more deaths

According to him, the defendant “has since tendered his school certificate before this court as Exhibit 16. The said certificate is dated June 2004 and bears the name of Anochili Anayo C. born on February 1, 1979. Meanwhile, Exhibit 2 filled by the 2nd defendant shows that he was born on the 1st day of September, 1965.

“Can it be said that the candidate for the Igwe stool in Exhibit 2 and the owner of the school certificate Exhibit 16 is the same person? My answer is in the negative.

“Now, even if the purpose of argument, that they are the same person, the question is, was the 2nd defendant qualified to contest for the office of the Igwe of Umuogbugbuagu Autonomous Community as the time he filled the form on 30th October, 2003? My answer is emphatic No.”

Justice Nwobodo consequently gave an order restraining the defendants or their agents from conducting any further election or selection on the Igweship for Umuogbugbuagu Autonomous Community.

“The 2nd defendant is hereby restrained by the order of this court from parading himself or being paraded by any other person as His Royal Highness, Igwe Cyril Anayo Anochili or performing any duties customarily reserved for the Igwe of Umuogbugbuagu Autonomous Community.

“The court hereby declares that the 3rd plaintiff is the qualified candidate for Igweship of Umuogbugbuagu Autonomous Community and was duly elected/selected the Igwe Elect as at 1st January, 2004,” he said.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now