You're not Awka monarch, Anambra panel tells Austin Ndigwe

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Chief Austin Ndigwe

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By Madu Obi

The Panel of Inquiry set up by Anambra State Government to investigate the dispute over the traditional stool of Awka Kingdom has concluded its assignment and submitted report to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, with the panel stating that Obi Gibson Nwosu remains the traditional ruler of Awka.

During its month - long sitting, the panel received 32 memoranda and 28 oral testimonies.

Presenting the report on behalf of the panel, the Chairman, Justice Paul Obidigwe (rtd) affirmed that it is not in doubt that Obi Gibson Nwosu was not lawfully dethroned.

According to him, there were no legal grounds for his removal and that he was denied a fair hearing, describing the action of Ndigwe as unlawful, invalid, and of no legal effect.

Justice Obidigwe added that Chief Austin Ndigwe was not lawfully selected and was illegitimately functioning in that role, noting that his selection and enthronement violated due process and statutory requirements.

"The entire situation is an affront to the state government", Justice Obidigwe stated.

Receiving the report, Governor Soludo said the state government would study it carefully and issue a White Paper as a follow-up.

He recalled that the state government had earlier given the people of Awka the opportunity to resolve the matter internally, which proved unsuccessful, emphasizing that the government intervened only after being formally invited.

He stressed that Anambra must remain a state governed by law and order and underscored his duty to enforce the law to send a clear message to other communities that no community will be allowed to have more than one traditional ruler at any given time.

The governor, however, emphasizing that in this matter, there is no victor and no vanquished.