From Ifeoma Ejiofor Nnewi
The Nneni monarch, in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, HRH Igwe Damian O. Ezeani has been suspended by the State Government for conferring chieftaincy title on Sen Ifeanyi Ubah and 39 others.
The suspension was contained in letter addressed to the monarch, signed by the Commissioner for Ministry of Local Government, Hon Tonycollins Nwabunwanne, dated January 8, 2024 with Ref No: MLGCCA/HC/2022/T/025/001/10, copies of which were sent to the Anambra State Commissioner of Police and Director, Department of State Services (DSS) Anambra State.
The letter reads, “The Code of Conduct for a Traditional Rulers in Anambra Stata issued by the Tradtional Rulers provides that no Traditional Ruler can confer chieftaincy titles outside his domain (his community) without obtaining the permission of the Traditional Ruler of the recipient’s community.
“Furthermore in the interest of security, order and good governance of the state. The state government has equally, in addition to the code of conduct issued a directive through this ministry to the effect that no such chieftaincy title should be conferred by a Traditional Ruler on a recipent outside his community without obtaining clearance from the ministry.
“Amongst other reasons, this regulation is to curtail observed abuses including a growing trend whereby a minority of Traditional Rulers have demonstrated a penchant for trading Chieftaincy titles for money. Thereby bringing the traditional institution to ridicule and disrepute.
“A vast majority of Traditional Rulers conduct their exalted office with dignity and integrity and stick to the code of conduct and directives of the ministry. However a tiny few still act recklessly and in total disregard for the code of conduct of their office and directives of the supervising ministry.
“For example, a few days ago a former traditional ruler deposed by a court of law went ahead to confer phantom chieftaincy titles on forty individuals in one day (Some with questionable characters). This brazen disregard for law and order as well as directives of lawful authorities cannot be tolerated in the new Anambra of today.
“We have received confirmed report that you as a Traditional Ruler of Neni confer such phantom chieftaincy title on one Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in violation of the code of conduct without clearance from the ministry.
“Whether or not your actions was for pecuniary reasons as being speculated in many quarters is irrelevant, what is important is that your action is an affront to order and good governance.
“In the light of the above and for order and good governance, I am directed to inform you that Mr. Governor has in the exercise of his powers under Section 2(C) of Anambra State Traditional Rulers(Amendment) Law,2020, suspended your recognition as Traditional Ruler of Neni until further notice.
“You are also by this letter required to show cause why your Certificate of Recognition should not be withdrawn in line with the Traditional Rulers law. In the meantime you are advised to stop parading yourself forthwith as the Traditiinal Ruler of Neni community.”
Meanwhile, the senator representing Anambra South senatorial district, Sen Ifeanyi Ubah and the suspended monarch could not be reached at the time of filing this report for their comments.
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