Enugu State government has suspended Christopher Everestus Okwor as the Traditional Ruler of Ihekwuenu Aku Autonomous Community in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of the state.
According to a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Charles C. O. Egumgbe, the suspension of the monarch is with immediate effect and “is in the interest of peace, order and good governance and in compliance with Section (10b) of the Traditional Rulers Law, Cap 151, Revised Laws of Enugu State, 2004”.
The Commissioner, who disclosed that Igwe Okwor’s letter of recognition MCM/CM/98/VOL.11/116 is dated January 28, 2008, added: “Your suspension takes effect today, September 21, 2021, and would subsist pending the conclusion of investigation by the relevant bodies”.
In the statement, Dr. Egumgbe, told Igwe Okwor that “your Community is presently in turmoil due to wanton destruction of property and threat to lives of the members of the community”.
The suspension of Igwe Okwor is part of the outcome of a meeting Dr. Egumgbe held on Tuesday with the suspended Traditional Ruler and the Chairman of Igbo-Etiti LGA, Hon. Nkechi Ugwu-Oju, following the trending video of the demolition of a two bedroom building belonging to a visually impaired man in the community.
Earlier in a statement, issued by the Commissioner for Information, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh, Enugu State government expressed disappointment over the incident and the allegation of the suspended Monarch’s involvement.
While the government condemned the attack and regrets the negative effect of the development on the community, it reassured the people of the of government”s unrelenting commitment to the welfare, peace and security of the state.