An Enugu High Court presided over by Justice A. A Nwobodo has sacked Mr. Victor Meniru as traditional ruler of Egwu Achi community in Oji-River Local Government Area of Enugu State.
In a judgment delivered after about 10 years of legal tussle the court faulted his election and nullified his enthronement as traditional ruler of the community.
The court also granted a perpetual injunction barring him from parading himself as the traditional ruler of Egwu Achi community.
Justice Nwobodo further declared that “any purported presentation of the 1st Defendant to the Chairman of Oji-River Local Government Area and/or the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters Enugu State or the Governor or any reception and/or recognition of the 1st Defendant as the Igwe of Egwu Achi Autonomous community is null and void and of no effect.
“That an order of perpetual injunction is made restraining the 1st defendant from holding himself out or parading himself as Igwe-elect or Igwe of Egwu Achi autonomous community.
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“That the purported presentation of the 1st defendant to the Chairman Oji-River Local Government and/or the Hon commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters or the Governor of Enugu State or the reception or recognition of the 1st defendant as the Igwe elect or the Igwe of Egwu Achi Autonomous community is null and void and of no effect.”
The court held that the Commissioner and the council chairman have no right under the Traditional Rulers law of Enugu State to stop the Plaintiff from conducting into the throne of the Igwe of Egwu Achi autonomous community.
“That the plaintiffs are allowed to organise and conduct election for the three aspirants to the throne in strict compliance with the constitution of the community.”
