From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
An Enugu High Court presided over by Hon. Justice N.R. Oji on Tuesday, January 8, ordered for non recognition of Ozo Samuel Ekesi as the newly elected Traditional Ruler of Ahani-Achi autonomous community, in Oji River local government area of Enugu state, pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice before his court.
By implication, the order equally affects his only rival in the contest,Ozo Ken Imachukwu, who is also his kinsman,.
Justice Oji ordered for the return to ‘status quo ante’ which is a command that they must maintain their respective position after the conduct of the elections as ordered by the Oji River division of the high court of Enugu state,presided over by R.O.Odugu J.on December 11,2024.
The order was based on Suit with Number E/01/2025 brought before his Court by Hon.Kingsley Eze and Mr Chijioke Ihudiebube on behalf of themselves as President and Secretary representing Ahani-Achi Development Union and the majority of Ahani Achi indigents versus Ozo Samuel Ekesi(1st defendant),the Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Matters(2nd defendant), the Executive Chairman of Oji River local government area(3rd defendant and Mr Ikechukwu Onyefuru(4th defendant) for himself and other members of Ahani-Achi Igweship election-committee.
Justice Oji adjourned the case to January 21, after hearing the submissions of the plaintiff(ADU) through their lawyers, O.B.Eze and K.O.Amalunweze Esq. and O.C.Ugolo with V.N.Okoye for the defendants.
The Court ordered as follows,”That since the prayers in the motion ex-parte are similar to the prayers in the motion on notice dated 31st December,2024,and all parties have been duly served with the motion on notice, the Court would rather consider the motion on notice after hearing all parties.
“That in the interest of justice, all parties in this suit are to maintain the status quo ante,ie the positions after the conduct of the elections as ordered by the Oji River Division of the high court of Enugu state presided over by R.O.Odugu J. on 11th December 2024, pending the hearing and the determination of the motion on Notice.
“This case is adjourned to 21/1/2025”, the Enugu High Court presided over by Justice N.R.Oji stated.
The current leadership of Ahani Achi Development Union(ADU) led by Hon. Kingsley Ezeh is insisting that the ADU executives are the major stakeholders to decide and execute the installation of any Igwe -elect of the community,in line with the constitution of the community.
Checks revealed that while the processes of the election of a new traditional ruler of Ahani-Achi autonomous community, held on December 1st 2024 and the re-run of 28th December 28th,are still raising dust, the supporters of the two contestants, Ozo Ken Imachukwu and Ozo Samuel Ekesi, reportedly went ahead to coronate them at different dates as the newly elected Traditional Ruler off the community.
The interpretation of the Enugu High Court order presided by Justice N.R.Oji amounts to a breach of the law to refer to any body as Igwe-elect of Ahani Achi autonomous community, pending final determination of the motion on notice before his court.
