Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo, the traditional chief of the Nawfia village in Anambra State's Njikoka local government area, has denounced what he views as police harassment and intimidation in the region.
He said he was leaving his castle on Christmas Eve to attend Igwe Robert Eze's Ofala celebration. Igwe Robert Eze is the younger brother of renowned philanthropist Prince Arthur Eze and the traditional leader of Ukpo in the Dunukofia local government. He was stopped by about four police officers who informed him that the police station wanted him.
The monarch claims that the police afterwards presented him with a letter inviting him to the state's CID, where he was told to meet with O/c D4.
He was especially offended by the state police command's disparaging remarks about his status as a traditional leader. He emphasised that the police did not refer to him in the letter as "Igwe" or "His Royal Highness," as is customary for a traditional monarch, but rather merely as "Mr. Ferdinand Nwankwo."
He claims that on December 28, 2022, Justice Peace Otti of the High Court 3, Awka, issued a ruling requiring the state government to rescind the certificate of recognition awarded to one Dan Obelle by the outgoing governor Willie Obiano as the legitimate head of Nawfia. Additionally, he stated that the state administration and the state police command had previously received notice of the court order.
He further asserted that the same court had earlier directed that the "status quo ante" regarding the controversy over the Nawfia traditional stool be upheld pending the outcome of his case challenging the suspension and dethronement of him by the Obiano government.
Igwe Nwankwo claimed to have given the police command copies of all court rulings pertaining to the disputes over his traditional stool. This includes the most recent two court rulings, the first of which instructed the state government to rescind the certificate of recognition given to Dan Obelle as the traditional king of Nawfia and the second of which said that the status quo ante should be preserved.
The Anambra State State government was ordered by Justice Otti to "withdraw the certificate of recognition issued to Dan Obelle as Igwe of Nawfia" and to "responsible for the Government of Anambra State, the Ho. Attorney-General of Anambra State, the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, and Chinweba Moguluwa." The order was acquired by reporters.
When asked if the monarch had been invited, Ikenga Tochukwu, a spokesperson for the state police command, responded that he was not aware of such an invitation. He emphasised the commitment of the command to upholding law and order and protecting the public and their property.