By Onuchukwu Hamilton
Streets in Orlu Local Government Area were last Thursday, filled with excited crowd, after a court ruling changed the leadership of the Amanator Okporo community.
People from all parts of Okporo came out in large numbers to celebrate as the Orlu High Court announced that Prince Ibenye Ugbala Silver has been removed as the traditional ruler of Amanator Okporo.
The court recognized Eze Francis Emeka Ujagba as the rightful and legally chosen traditional ruler of the Amanator Okporo Autonomous Community.
The Grapevines had hinted that “without this landmark judgement that has stopped Ibenye Ugbala sons from foisting themselves on the throne, Amanator Okporo Community and Okporo in general, may be plunged into another level of violent crisis, because all the youth bodies in all the villages and their leaders, publicly condemned the certificate and the staff which the said Ibenye Ugbala sons schematically received from the State Government on March 22, 2025 as an aspersion, humiliation and daylight robbery to the community.”
When contacted by newsmen on how and why the Community finally approached the court and victoriously challenged the Staff and certificate which the embattled Ibenye Ugbala sons hijacked, HRH Eze Francis Ujagba calmly stated that the court victory substantiates the credibility of the judiciary system in Nigeria and is a proof that the voice of the people, is the voice of God. ( Vox populi Vox dei).
He further explained that the Imo State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, commendably started calming the frayed nerves when he intellectually and fatherly recommended that the aggrieved communities on that same March 22, had the powers to seek a redress in the court and correct any injustice affecting the issued staff and certificates as enshrined in section 5, 7, & 10 of the Traditional Rulers and Autonomous Community Law cum other precedents for Justice.
According to Eze Francis Ujagba, Governor Hope Uzodimma’s passion for Justice and peace stands as the biggest blessing to Imo people.
He also pledged his unwavering support and loyalty to the Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM, Eze Dr E C Okeke, the Federal House Member for Orlu, Oru East and Orsu, Rt. Hon. High Chief Canice Moore Chukwugozie Nwachukwu( Omeogo, Ogbaturuenyi na Orlu) and Distinguished Senator Osita Izunaso as very eminent leaders who believe in Late Chinua Achebe’s proverb that “an elder does not stay in the house, and watch the pregnant she goat deliver in its tetters” ( okenye anayi anu n’ulo ewu amuo na ogbu).
Eze Ujagba further extended his gratitude to the Traditional Prime Minister of Amanator Okporo Community, Chief Valentine Anaele Okolie( the Ochina-nwata), the President General , Chief John Egeolu, Chief Gilbert Okolie ( Chi- na- eme eze of Amanator Okporo) Chief Emmanuel Odidika, Chief Barr. Robert Udensi, All the Village sub Chairmen, Secretaries, Youths of Amanator at home and in diaspora for defending the kingship mandate which has been constitutionally rotated to Umuebele village from where he has democratically emerged as the people’s choice.
However, Eze Francis Ujagba appealed to the family of late HRH Eze Ibenye Ugbala to see themselves as great sons of the community whose contributions to the development of the community, is well deserved. He urged them to embrace his kingship as the people’s decision.
Meanwhile, the sacked Ibenye Ugbala sons are facing another trouble in the hands of Police as a result of alleged impersonation to desparately function as Traditional Rulers.
According to published reports, the second son of late Eze VNC Ibenye Ugbala was captured on camera when he was receiving the kingship staff and its certificate from Governor Uzodimma using his elder brother’s titles. This alleged impersonation also raised a lot of dust in the community. Hence, there is a letter with Reference number CB 7000/IGP. SEC/ ABJ/VOL.841/136 from the Inspector General Of Police, Abuja, ordering that the AIG zone 9 Umuahia should do the needful.
It was also gathered that the said Ibenye Ugbala Son (suspect)in the community petition, has reportedly refused to answer the police.
