Uga Community Septuagenarian Village Chief Nze Titus Medo Umenzekwe begs Governor Obiano to intervene in Community crisis

 

www.odogwublog.com reports exclusively that Uga Community in Aguata local government area has a recognized landmark and tourist attractions like the "Obizi uga" spring and river. It is a spectacular natural site of an ancient tale. Uga has one of the largest markets in the local government area known as "Orie Uga".
Uga celebrates Obuofor every December 26th and has illustrious sons and daughters in all spheres of life including an international businessman Nze Titus Medo Umenzekwe who pioneered medical centers of excellence several years ago with hospitals in Uga, Lagos, Onitsha and Asaba.

 But the greatest tension and crisis is in Uga now following the burning of the Ikoro Uga, ‘Community Gong’ by an overzealous Pastor. The worshipers are protesting and prominent indigenes are not happy too including Nze Titus Medo Umenzekwe.
Ikoro is used to pass across message once it sounds. Its sounds signify different meanings and villagers know about that. It is same in almost all Igbo land. Ikoro is a message medium for every community and at the sound of an Ikoro, the villagers would gather for information. It is being ignored now in most communities due to modern communication gadgets to summon emergency meetings.

The Pastor burnt the Ikoro shrine in a bid to liberate the community, strange things are said to be happening in the community but a journalist Jude Mascot Obiagwu dismissed the insinuation of evil happening in Uga when many Uga sons and daughters are among the richest in Anambra state and many doing well all over the world.

But that pissed off a Septuagenarian and former Chairman of Awarasi Village, Uga , Aguata local government area, Nze Titus Medo Umenzekwe who aside condemning the burning of Ikoro, alleged that Prince Chidi Ezenwugo purportedly elected by a section of Uga community as Igwe Uga monitored the burning of the Ikoro and enumerated the crisis in Uga which only two things would resolve which is obeying the constitution and obeying the judgment of courts on Uga crisis. He said Prince Ezenwugo was not properly elected as Igwe elect and therefore null and void. He said any Igwe elect without the Ikenga Uga is not Igwe elect, adding that Ikenga Uga must be recognized for Uga Community to have peace and progress or else crisis would continue having being in legal battle for years.

That allegation Prince Ezenwugo admitted, but said it was in error as he never knew the Pastor and his group had sinister motive to burn the ancestral place. He vowed such would not happen again as he was deceived.
Umenzekwe further raised alarm that some people including the member of the state House of Assembly, Dr Ikechukwu Umeh and President General of Uga Improvement Union, Dr Godwin Akam are fueling the crisis by upholding the recognition of the son of the late Igwe Felix Ezeobieri Ezenwugo to ascend the throne yet without allowing the Ikenga  Uga, Chief John Oragwa to perform his duties even when different courts gave judgment in his favour.

But in  a ceremony allegedly to mark the end of the tussle and emergence of  Prince Ezenwugo as Igwe-elect, President-General of Uga Improvement Union (UIU), Chief Goddy Uche Akam, said  the union followed its 1984 constitution which states that “the office of Igwe of Uga shall be hereditary.”
This , Nze Titus Medo Umenzekwe punctured by asking why he recognized the constitution on Igweship but refused to recognize the office of the Ikenga Uga as stipulated by the constitution and refused to obey court order that said nothing would be done without Ikenga Uga.
Chief Akam, who said there was no contention as to the family or kindred the contestant would come from, pointed out that whoever is adopted and  presented to Uga Representative Assembly (URA) for ratification assumes the position.
But Nze Umenzekwe accused Akam of dissolving the Uga Representative Assembly (URA), before the selection of the Igwe elect and using persons who are not Isiobi Oka and Isiobi Awarasi in electing the supposedly Igwe elect because the true personalities for the position are in court battling for their position sequel to non recognition by Akam and others against constitution and earlier court judgments.
Akam disputed that and stressed that the emergence of the Igwe-elect was done at St James’ Anglican Church field before the Igwe-elect was presented to the General Assembly for acceptance at Nkwo Uga, a common gathering square for the four quarters of Umueze, Oka, Umuoru and Awarasi that make up Uga community for selfish reasons.
Umenzekwe then asked that if that was the position , he should produce the recorded video tape for the community to view and see rightful Isiobi Oka and Isiobi Awarasi breaking kola nuts and performing their rightful duties, alleging that such scenario never played out as Akam used vigilante groups from almost all the communities in Aguata to intimidate the people of Uga on that event because he sensed trouble. He said sequel to that there was too much noise and anti protests for the event to hold and at the confusion Akam left to Nkwo signaling an incomplete ceremony. He wondered why a position he contested and lost before becoming President General of Uga years after should not be recognized by him and his supporters.
Umenzekwe rejected the stand of the President General on the crisis in Uga and appealed for a true reconciliation and peace as enshrined in Uga constitution of 1984 they are pontificating about and accused the PG of Balkanizing his community based on ego which public position should not be seen as indulging in.

Umenzekwe wept for the continued crisis that has bedeviled development, peace, progress  and growth of his community since 1984, appealing to Governor Willie Obiano to intervene and bring a lasting peace to Uga community. He advised all government officials their names are being dropped to please urge those trying to destabilize Uga to sheath their sword and seek for permanent peace, simply by being constitutional and following rule of law.
 Nze Umenzekwe requested Governor Obiano to direct all contenders in the crisis rocking the traditional stools of Uga to obey the constitution of the community and all court judgments emanating thereto as that is the only solution to the crisis in Uga community. 

On Ikoro, he said there is freedom of worship and there is no reason anybody should burn the Ikoro binding the community together whether a shrine or not, adding that even if it is a shrine some people still worship it. He said there is tension in that aspect now.

He pointed out on the lingering crisis in Uga as disobedience to court judgments and constitution of Uga by people who believe they have somebody in government and are above the law. Ikoro is not devilish but an instrument of administration in the community. Again freedom of religion would have prevailed.

Umenzekwe said ‘’court judgment said no meeting in Uga without the Regent but they are holding meetings without the Regent , court judgment and constitution said if Igwe dies , Ikenga should take over until a replacement is found but they refused to obey the constitution and the court judgment. This is the crisis in Uga and not Ikoro Uga. The  late Igwe’s son was there and they were burning Ikoro Uga.  I am appealing to Governor Willie Obiano to reject to recognize the Igwe elect until peace is restored by these people obeying the constitution of the community ad obeying court judgments on the Ikenga matter and constitutionality of various positions in the community. We are waiting. Umueze took Igwe for life but denied others their rights. I am not interested for any position but for the right thing to be done. I am not even from the villages. Let Obiano intervene and restore peace’’.

Igwe Elect while admitting the Ikoro was burnt with his knowledge said: ‘’I don’t know that was part of their intention. I don’t know they have such plan but I regret it and pray it doesn’t happen again.
On Ikenga Uga, he said” …….everybody knows he is our Ikenga and it is not being disputed and we recognize Chief John Oragwa as the Ikenga Uga . He is our Ikenga. It is not in dispute. There is judgment in that regards , we are obeying it and the constitution too is clear on that. There is no crisis in Uga because if there is any crisis , I would not be collectively brought out as Igwe elect. Igwe is hereditary’’.
On his part the member of House of Assembly , Hon Dr Ikechukwu Umeh said the issue is beyond phone discussion but for a full scale face to face discourse but however , dismissed the allegations , saying ‘’Nobody is contesting Ikenga with him. The man ‘Chief John Oragwa’ is still our Ikenga’’ but on the selection of Igwe, he said ‘’ it was done right and there is no crisis in Uga for now’’.

But Nze Umenzekwe rejected their stand as cosmetic and lamented that the same constitution of Uga Improvement Union (U.I.U) of October, 1984 that gave powers to the election of Uga improvement Union elected officials in part 11 section V , equally gave powers to election of traditional ruler in Part X11 and sub-section 68 for offices of Ikenga, Ogene and Ochiagha, yet some privileged even educated individuals are abusing the constitution of the community by not recognizing the roles of the Ikenga Uga et al.
He asked the Member of House of Assembly, Dr Umeh to assist in restoring peace as a lawmaker or see himself as not fit to be in the House of Assembly where law and constitution is made for good governance of the people. He asked: ‘’ If Ikenga is recognized, why was he going to court and winning judgment that was ignored? Why were they holding meeting without Ikenga in the community to the extent of talking of electing a new Igwe when Ikenga was refused to act when Igwe died and facilitate the emergence of a new Igwe in accordance to the constitution , because Ikenga cannever be Igwe but constitution gives him power to act until new Igwe is selected?
He said :‘’ I am not happy with the our House of Assembly member because rather than condemn the situation as a lawmaker, he was supporting them to the extent of speaking to the press that there is no crisis  in Uga and that they unanimously selected the Igwe elect. He is making laws and supporting illegality. Remember he was not at the event and we were and the PG is now singing a different tune by recontesting for the position against the gentleman agreement they had that after him the next village.

‘’This is an unending crisis in Uga unless constitution of Uga and the judgment of court of competent jurisdiction are obeyed by those causing trouble. The late Igwe was 3rd defendant of the court case won by Uga against Mbata’s family yet they continued to abuse it and the constitution. Mbata’s family gave Uga N20,000 and Igwe N5,000 fine for taking the community to court yet people are being funny.
Umenzekwe , a former Chairman of Awarasi village wondered why educated people should be supporting injustice, and abuse of constitution and rule of law decrying that Akam’s grouse against the rightful Ikenga of Uga may have been because he defeated him Akam during the election before he became President General of the Town.

Umenzekwe who is security Coordinator of 7 locations in Onitsha, therefore appealed to all sections of Uga community to recognize the Ikenga’s position which was denied him before, during and after the death of the late Igwe, before talking about crowning a new traditional ruler as he could tell Ikenga Uga has nothing against anybody but fighting his rightful position as elected Ikenga of Uga constitutionally and legally too having defeated them in court against the infraction on his rights.

‘’Governor Willie Obiano is a good man and he does not like communal crisis. That is why I am begging all the sides to sheath their sword and govern with the constitution of Uga Improvement Union be recognizing the positions of Ikenga, Ogene and Ochiagha , the three members of the cabinet constitutionally assigned to Oka village, Umuoru village and Awarasi village respectively.

‘’Why would they select another candidate and son of the late Igwe when they have not resolved the issue that took the community to all the courts without implementing the judgment of the courts and constitution on the matter; if it is not to deceive the Governor? They should not do that at all. They should know that truth is bitter but liberates the soul. Let justice, equity and fair play be our watchword at all times for a peaceful Uga community. Any attempt to bend the rules will continue to generate crisis in the community.

 ‘’ The only solution for peace is to step down for a while the gang up to issue the son of the late Igwe certificate of office by Anambra state Governor Obiano and recognize the Ikenga and his constitutional duties for a while and allow him move the process of recognizing whoever they wanted as Igwe since an Ikenga cannot usurp another’s powers, let another not usurp Ikenga’s position in accordance to the constitution of Uga.

He reads the constitution for the position of Ikenga: ‘’ I am not from the same village with the Ikenga Uga, Chief John Oragwa and I have not interest whatsoever but after reading what some people published in national dailies especially Daily Independent, I am forced to speak out for people to the truth as only the truth can set us free.

‘’This is our constitution, and from this constitution, Igwe derives his powers, the town union leadership derives its powers as well as Ikenga, Ogene and Ochiagha respectively. This is the constitutional provision for the Ikenga Uga……(he reads) Ikenga shall be the next in rank to the Igwe; he shall be the leader of the cabinet; he in case of incapacity of Igwe arising from illness or long absence from home, shall perform the duties of Igwe; He shall, in case of death or removal of Igwe , serve as Regent until the next Igwe is recognized.

But since Chief John Oragwa defeated Dr Godwin Akam in the contest for the Ikenga position, he was never allowed to enjoy his position by some disgruntled elements and when eventually Akam was elected President General, I taught he would use his educational background to restore the lost glory of Uga but the revise is the case as he continued to ignore valid court judgments and constitution that equally brought him to power. It is most unfortunate that educated people are disappointing me in this regards. That is my headache as I have no interest of any kind but for peace , unity and development to be in Uga but with all these crisis, how can peace be?
‘’Chief John Oragwa should be recognized as Ikenga of Uga having won the election when he defeated Akam and went to court to contest infraction against him by Igwe and others and won in a judgment delivered by Hon Justice C.N Uzoewulu of Otuocha High Court since December 2007 in suit Number AG/70/1999 in a case between Chief Oragwa John as plaintiff and HRH Igwe Felix E Ezeobieri and Chief Ifeanyi Umejiburu as defendants.
The plaintiff was seeking court order to declare that under constitution of Uga Improvement Union that he is the Ikenga of Uga community among others and the court the court gave judgment in his favour. This is the judgment for your keeps (hands over the judgment to this reporter).
In another judgment on suit no AG/139/2013 before Justice Obiora of Aguata High court on 26th May, 2015 , Ikenga Uga, Chief John Oragwa equally won yet some people are still ignoring court judgments and the constitution and want us to believe they are above the law in a democratic nation.

The judgment by Justice Uzoewulu affirmed that ‘’ under the provisions of Uga Improvement Union constitution , the plaintiff is the Ikenga of Uga community; that the defendants by themselves , their servants, agents , privies or otherwise  however are restrained from preventing the plaintiff and or interfering with the plaintiff in the performance of and discharge of his functions and duties as Ikenga of Uga under the Uga Improvement Union constitution ; that the defendants by themselves , their servants , agents or privies or otherwise howsoever are restrained from organizing , conducting and or convening any meeting of the Igwe’s cabinet Uga in exclusion of plaintiff ; that the defendants shall pay N5,000.00 damages to the plaintiff’’. The plaintiff was awarded N20,000  against the defendants which they paid.
He insisted Obiano should ask those lobbying for another Igwe to be recognized to first go and obey the community’s constitution and valid court judgments on the position of Ikenga as the crowing on the next Igwe would generate more crisis than initially as the contenders were like mates but for the Ikenga to be denied his position for several years by the late Igwe only for his son to be crowned when he has never been recognized is the height of insult on the sensibilities of educated minds who understood the meaning of constitution and court judgment. He commended the Ikenga for being lawful and peaceful all these years and pursing his rights legally and with due process. He wondered if education has placed some in Uga above the law and constitution.

He pointed out that the crisis would have ended should those antagonizing Ikenga had allowed sleeping dogs lie by allowing Ikenga preside over the affairs of the community in compliance of the court judgment and Uga’s constitution and now the enthronement of the new monarch would have been a smooth sail with peace and unity heralded, querying on why Ikenga should not assume his position after winning election because some people don’t like his face, wondering if government is only for the rich and influential.

‘’I am sure Obiano would not listen to all these tissues of lies because there is no ambiguity in the law guiding the community –constitution and why would they not obey the constitution unless the one that favours them? 

Affirming the position by former Chairman of Awarasi Village, Uga , Aguata local government area, Nze Titus Medo Umenzekwe , a constitutional lawyer, J.I Umennajiego wrote chief Godwin Akam, PhD as President General of Uga Improvement Union dated October 18th , 2012 referring him that the abuse of the constitution had been the problem of Uga crisis for over 17 years.

His letter goes thus:’’ …… Uga had been in crisis for more than 17 years because of the violation of a section  of the 1984 constitution ….’’,  even as he appealed to Dr Akam to stabilize the town , warning against jettisoning the constitution .

   Uga community is divided into four quarters Umueze where the Igwe is from, Oka, Umuoru and Awarasi with constitution recognizing 26 affiliate unions of the U.I.U scattered across the country. But whereas Umueze is holding its position of Igwe which the constitution recognized to be hereditary, though did not say where it is located Oka village where Ikenga is from have not enjoyed that position sequel to manmade crisis.
Nze Titus Medo Umenzekwe revealed that Uga’s constitution after it was stalled became a legal document by a court judgment of Justice F.C.C Uyanna of Awka High court , January 25th 1989 in suit number AA/48/86 , where the Judge dismissed the interim injunction holding the launching of the constitution by Uga Improvement Union and since then it became a working document guiding all offices in Uga and wondered why every other issue is captured and obeyed but that of Ikenga Uga being ignored by some sections of the community.

The case for legality of Uga Improvement Union constitution was between Mbata family in Umuoru Uga represented by David Umeawusiofor , Chief Samuel Ezemaduka, Patrick Ofokansi for themselves and on behalf of other members of Mbata family as plaintiff  and GC Umeasor, Chairman constitution Review Committee Uga Improvement Union, AA Obiabaka Secretary of the constitution Review committee Uga Improvement Union and , Igwe Felix Ezenwugo Ezeobieri , traditional ruler of Uga and CC Ifemeze , president Uga Improvement Union as defendants. The judge awarded judgment in favour of defendants by setting aside the order of interim injunction earlier made against launching of the constitution of the Uga Improvement Union. Therefore, the constitution was launched and became a legal document for the community.

He therefore announced the intentions of Awarasi village to initiate a constitution amendment proceedings to revoke the hereditary position constitution of the community awarded for the traditional ruler position in Uga to be elective as other positions of Ikenga, Ogene and Ochiagha , insisting that Awarasi people and the other two villages are not slaves to anybody or any village in Uga community. He said the village would pursue their case legally and constitutionally until it is revoked. The position of the Igwe should be rotational and elective like others insisting that the hereditary status must be expunged from the constitution through due process which they are championing.
    
On the reduced crime in Uga and Anambra state at large, TM Umenze as he is fondly called lauded Governor Willie Obiano, Inspector General of police Solomon Arase and Anambra commissioner for Police , Hassan Hosea Karma for their operation sweep off  Anambra state of criminals but appealed that the Inspector General complete the investigation on the arrest of unregistered pump action guns used by registered security men in Uga recently to send signals on those authorizing illegality to be cautious.

‘’How can one explain that the President of the Community left the central vigilante and formed his own with people some of us don’t know and gave them pump action gun that is not registered with the police. I saw about 10 Pump Action with my eyes during a burial. He called for the IGP to complete the investigation of the matter by interviewing the other village heads and Ikenga Uga because of the boast by them on the pump action usage was violated.
‘’ And we wrote a petition and IGP team arrived and arrested them with one Pump Action but during interrogation they admitted having three pump actions. The Pump action is with the police.

www.odogwublog.com observed that the petition was written by D.R Igboamauchaey Esq of Ojinedo Chambers Onitsha , asking IGP for through investigation on the source of the guns used to intimidate their clients by Dr Goddy Akam because he was claiming Chief Security of the Uga community against constitutional stand that gave it to the Igwe. And because Igwe was no more, Ikenga suppose to be the custodian of the Chief Security title in accordance to 1984 constitution.
They referred to invasion to the Executive Council of Uga Improvement Union at Oru Agency Hall Umuoru Uga Mr Michael Ezeanyim at the behest of Dr Goddy Akam , the PG, and threatened to kill Nze Boniface Obi ,pointing gun at his head with Mr Michael Ezeanyim assaulting and pushing him down.  The case is with Anti-Robbery Squad from CID, Abuja

Penultimate weekend another incident happened and Umenzekwe narrated further: ‘’The car of Simeon Oragwa was snatched at a burial whereas security were at work and while everybody was talking about it , a vocal person Okwudili Onuorah queried them on why they should be on guard and a car was snatched, that they should be held liable and they beat him up breaking his head and warned them not to report to any police, yet at the end of the episode no security report was made about the theft of a car as now I am speaking to you. What a miserable situation.

He insisted Akam has nothing to offer the community as the three years he was in office was from one problem and crisis to the other reminding that in the last 7 months, there was never a meeting as anytime he summons meeting it is crisis and the meeting would scatter. He concluded that there was never an account of stewardship rendered in the past three years. He said if two of four parties of the ‘Isiobi  Uga‘ who supposed to anoint the new monarch are in court and the Uga Representative council dissolved who then cleared Igwe elect for presentation?
He revealed that it was the Br Ume Obika’s report set up by Anambra state government to restore peace in Uga community that exposed the Town Union leadership led by Akam when it reported that Uga community collected N6 Million from the state government but development and peace eluded the community while some are smiling to the bank. The N6 Million was collected by one man from Umueze village and not their entire Umueze, so why should the other members of the village and the three other villages be slaves in their own community? We are fighting the disgruntled elements doing business with Uga collective patrimony. The President Geenral is struggling to be re-elected because he knows people in government?
While calling moves for peace he was part of as Executive member of Central Executive  of Uga, Nze Umenzekwe recalled that if Mbata’s family should go to court to challenge Uga’s constitution and the community won with the late Igwe defending the constitution in court, then Mbata’s family went on Appeal but got reprimand by their kin and they withdrew the Appeal even apologized and paid penalty of N5,000 to Igwe which he collected, only to deny Ikenga his constitutional rights.

Exclusive report for www.odogwublog.com by Odogwu Emeka Odogwu , The CEO/MD Odogwu Media Communication Limited

Photos of Obi, IGP and Anambra CP; Ikoro shrine under fire and before fire