Anambra Community Seeks Govt Intervention To End Constitution Crisis
Members of Ezeokweghi/Ezeofor Royal Family Enugwu-Nanka, in Orumba North local government area of Anambra state, are seeking government’s urgent intervention to end the lingering constitutional crisis rocking the community over 10 years.
In a press conference on Monday in Awka, the community cried out over attempt to evade justice by factional members of Nanka Patriotic Union, which it said, forged the constitution of the community to meet the interests of the few.
The forged constitution, according to them, recognised only five villages in Nanka instead of seven as it were previously, as well as the purported rotation of traditional stool among the five villages.
In a petition titled, “Re: Plot to abort prosecution of charge NO: AJMC/42C/2017 at Aguata Magistrate Court, Ekwulobia to secure travesty of justice”, they alleged that the defendants in the charge wrote to the Honourable Attorney General of Anambra State, Barr. Uju Nwogu, presenting position for possible withdrawal of fiat issued to prosecute them by a private legal practitioner and entering Nolle Prosequi in the said charge. This, they said, could thwart justice.
The petition signed by Chief Ben Okeke, chairman and Wilfred Okafor, assistant secretary of the royal family reads in part, “The defendants stand from information reaching us is that since the Government of Anambra State approved the Nanka Town Union and Chieftaincy Constitution of 2011, it will be wrong for same government to be prosecuting the defendants.
“Our stand on the contrary, is that the approval was given based on misrepresentation and suppression of facts which if it were available at the time of the grant, the relevant agency wouldn’t have done what it did.
“Further, the government of Anambra State was not present when the constitution was made and the defendant altered the original constitution and forged same before presenting it to the government who innocently played along with them.
“We refer to various pronouncements made by Courts and administrative decisions by the government agencies and confirm that it will be ridiculous for government to stifle prosecution of this charge.
“It will amount to perversion of justice. It will be a mess and embarrassment to judicial system and to the administration of criminal justice system. Such actions will obviate breach of trust and will be a dent to our judicial system and public policy.
“If the action of the defendants is legitimate; if the defendants have good defence; why can’t they stand trial and defend their action; why can’t they advance their defence to court instead of frustrating trial of the charge since 5 years?
“The society is watching as one wrong step begets another. We urge you to help protect the integrity of the court and society. We urge that the Court be allowed to try the matter to restore the confidence of the society in it’s system and to assure that it works.
“We want to assure Nankarians that we did not fail them; we worked hard to make sure that the voice of justice was upheld.
“We therefore, call on the Executive Governor of Anambra State, the Hon. Chief Judge of Anambra State, the Honorable Attorney General of Anambra State, the Director of Public Prosecution, Ministry of Justice and the Administrative Judge, Aguata High Court, Ekwulobia, to ensure that there is no more delay in justice as regarding the matter”.
Orient Daily further reports that the above charge is an offshoot of Nanka Town Union and Chieftaincy Constitution 2011. Presently, there are 5 other civil cases namely; Suit Nos: AG/159/2013; AG/185/2013; AG/171/2016; O/MISC/1446/2017; AG/74/2020 on the said Constitution by different entities in Nanka.
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