Illomuanya who until his dethronement was the traditional ruler of Obinugwu Autonomous community and Chairman South East Council of Traditional Rulers, while Onyeneke was Ekwueme IV of Lagwa Okwuato autonomous community in Aboh Mbaise LGA.
The latest to condemn the detthronment of the duo is the deputy speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Eze Cletus Illomuanya.
In a press release signed Ihedioha’s Personal Assistant (Media), Chibuike Onyeukwu, the lawmaker said the de recognition of the two traditional rulers by Governor Okorocha is in utter disregard to the rule of law, due process and an indeed affront on the custom and heritage of the people whom those traditional rulers embody.
Ihedioha’s statement reads “The attention of His Excellency, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha, CON, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives has been drawn to the purported withdrawal of the Certificates of Recognition of HRM Eze Cletus Ilomuanya CON, as the Traditional Ruler of Obinugwu Autonomous Community in Orlu Local Government Area and HRH Eze Cosmas Onyeneke, Ekwueme IV of Lagwa Okwuato Autonomous Community in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State by His Excellency Chief Rochas Anayo Okorocha, Governor of Imo State.
“His Excellency the Deputy Speaker notes that while he had seldom commented on the manner of administration of our dear Imo State by the Governor, it has become increasingly clear to all that the Governor has continued to engage in actions that are anathema to good governance, peaceful coexistence, the rule of law and due process.
“Consequently, for the sake of posterity, His Excellency the Deputy Speaker is constrained to make the point that the purported de-recognition of the aforementioned traditional rulers by Governor Okorocha is in utter disregard to the rule of law, due process and an indeed affront on the custom and heritage of the people whom those traditional rulers embody.
“It is noteworthy that extant and relevant statutes clearly stipulate the procedures and conditions precedent for the withdrawal of Certificate of Recognition of Traditional Rulers in Imo State. Sadly, none of the conditions including fair hearing which is a basic foundation of jurisprudence have been met in this instance.
“The case involving Eze Ilomuanya who is the substantive Chairman, Imo State Traditional Rulers Council and Chairman South East Traditional Rulers Council, and that of another respected Traditional Ruler in Mbaise Land, HRH Eze Cosmas Onyeneke are matters under litigation.
“The purported illegal de-recognition therefore portrays the Governor as engaging in reckless exercise of naked power and being disdainful of our culture, customs and very revered traditional institutions.
“It is pertinent to note that Governor Okorocha had lost the litigation against his illegal and unjustifiable removal of the revered Traditional Ruler from office as the substantive Chairman of Traditional Rulers Council of Imo State before the expiration of his tenure. In its Judgment, the Court of Appeal had issued an injunction restraining the Governor, his agents and privies from taking any step to further truncate the subsisting tenure of Eze Cletus Ilomuanya. The case of Eze Cosmas Onyeneke is also subjudice with a subsisting Order of Interlocutory Injunction against the Imo State Government.
“In view of these valid judicial decisions, Governor Okorocha is only expected to comply with the law and stop making our dear state the laughing stock of civilized societies.
“Recall that this was also the case when elected Local Government Area Council Administration secured judicial victory against their illegal dissolution by the Governor which the Okorocha administration recklessly disregarded.
“His Excellency, the Deputy Speaker urges Governor Rochas Okorocha to retrace his steps and show respect to judicial pronouncements and decisions by immediately revoking the purported de-recognition of HRM Eze (Dr.) Cletus Ilomuanya and HRH Cosmas Onyeneke and indeed obey several extant judgments of Courts against his administration.
“This more than any propaganda would earn him a decent portrayal in the eyes of Imolites as he leaves office in 2015.
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