Chief Onuwa Aniagwu has applauded the judgment of the Delta State Customary Court of Appeal, which nullified the installation of Chief Chris Agbobu as the Onishe of Ubulu-Unor.
Aniagwu, the fifth appellant in the suit, emphasized that the decision to set aside the judgment of the Aniocha South Area Customary Court by the appellate court, led by Justice C.R. Ojugbana-Orishedere, was "carefully evaluated and reinforced the belief that the nation's judiciary can deliver justice."
Describing the judgment as a welcome development, Aniagwu said "the prior installation of Chief Agbobu did not annul my conferment as the Onishe chieftaincy title holder of Ubulu-Unor. Instead, it was an attempt to duplicate the office", while urging the Obi of the community to adhere to the appellate court's judgment, Aniagwu called on the palace and the elders of Umuokpa to seek peaceful means to finalize the process of his installation as the Onishe of Ubulu-Unor.
Aniagwu, reacting to the appellate court's decision, also stated that it has never been the tradition of the people of Ubulu-Unor for the Obi to determine who emerges as an Idime chieftaincy title holder, not even in the whole Enuani. These titles are traditionally reserved for the ruling houses to decide."
"Additionally, by this judgment, the Obi of Ubulu-Unor is reminded of his duty to respect and preserve the customs and traditions of the Ubulu-Unor kingdom, as his very position is derived from them," Aniagwu said.
"I must emphasize that the process of my installation, which has already reached a point of no return, cannot be subverted midway. That is why the appellate court firmly issued a perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from recognizing the second respondent as the Onishe of Ubulu-Unor any further."
He explained that chieftaincy positions in the community are exclusively for the ruling houses and can only be ratified by the Obi. Usually, the Obi can exercise a power of rejection before the chalking ceremony, which signifies full acceptance by the Obi.
"Consequently, the progression to the delivery of the 'Nzu' to the home of the chalked candidate, often accompanied by pomp and pageantry, marks the point of no return in the installation process. It signifies public affirmation of the conferment."
'At this point, it is inconceivable that the Obi would express any objection to the installation of the designate. Chalking a candidate indicates the monarch's acceptance of him, while the delivery of the Nzu' to his home represents public confirmation of the conferment."
Aniagwu went on to explain that these stages had already been fulfilled with his installation before disruptions arose. "I must also point out that the failure of the Obi to finalize my installation was due to the poor state of the community's roads, which were impassable at the time."
'It was agreed between the palace and myself that once the road was fixed, I would come for the installation. Even though the road remained impassable, I still traveled from my overseas base for the installation."
He added, "It was someone close to me and the palace who informed me that there was a move to install someone else as the Onishe. I did not believe it, as it seemed contrary to our customs and traditions, especially after the Obi had already delivered the native chalk to the candidate for the chieftaincy position." He said.
Copyright@ Nuel Publishers, October 2024.
All rights reserved.
Anioma Online is published by Nuel Publishers
3, Ubulu Unor Road
Ubulu Uku
Delta State
Nigeria
Email : editor@aniomaonline.com
Website : www.aniomaonline.com
