By SYLVANUS EKPO
The race for the Kingship of Aboh Kingdom just got messier with a fresh petition sent to the Delta State Executive Council and the Governor of Delta State, urging them to set aside the selection of Chief Dr Greg Nnamdi Oputa as the Obi of Aboh Kingdom because he was illegally installed by thugs and miscreants.
In a petition signed by the legal firm of S. Kelechi & Co., on behalf of Chief Michael Okeye Ogwu of Umuogwezi Quarter, Aboh Kingdom, it stated that Chief Ogwu is the leading candidate in the contest for succession to the traditional stool of the Obi of Aboh Kingdom most favoured by Providence to win the race for the coveted throne.
According to a document sited by The News Room, after the transition of the late Obi of Aboh Kingdom, Gregory Ogwu Imegwu, who was both the Obi and the Odua of Aboh Kingdom, the Council of Olinzeles detailed the qualification and procedure to be followed in the determination of the proper candidate to occupy the exalted stool of Obi of Aboh Kingdom.
However, on 22nd August, 2024, in “total disregard to these guidelines, immediately after the selection process began, the High Court of Justice, Delta State in suit No. HCK/45/2024 issued an order of injunction against the kingmakers, the candidates for the stool, the Governor of Delta State, the Hon. Attorney General of Delta State, restraining the parties from commencing, proceeding with or continuing the process of nomination. It further restrained them from selecting, chalking, crowning or presentation of staff of office in respect of the King of Aboh.
The court afterwards adjourned the proceedings in the matter to 3rd September, 2024.
Curiously, in spite of the injunction placed by the court on the kingmakers, one of the aspirants, Chief Greg Nnamdi Oputa and some renegade kingmakers brought to disrepute the order of court on 22nd August 2024 and unlawfully proceeded on 29th August, 2024 invited and carried out a screening process for Chief Greg Nnamdi Oputa on the 30th August, 2024 at the Onuobiukwu Civic Centre, Aboh.
At the screening, Chief Greg Nnamdi Oputa presented himself and with the help of the masterminds of the violation of the court order, was screened and cleared on 2nd September, 2024 by the Aboh Kingmakers screening committee.
However, the High Court of Justice on 3rd September 2024 declared unequivocally that the court order of 22nd August was valid until disposed off.
To further consolidate their nefarious activity, Chief Greg Nnamdi Oputa and some cohorts invaded the home of the Odua of Aboh, Chief Thomas Ugboaku Agha with armed thugs and street urchins at gunpoint, forcing him to anoint Chief Greg Nnamdi Oputa.
“They forcibly took the hands of the Odua to touch the hands and body Chief Greg Nnamdi Oputa which act was done in sheer brigandage and without the consent of the Odua of Aboh Kingdom”.
Essentially, according to the document, Chief Greg Nnamdi Oputa and his minions, stooges and lackeys later dumped the ailing Odua on his sick bed and danced away in company of his armed thugs.
On 15th September, 2024, in “a well orchestrated ceremony carried in various media platforms began to parade himself as the ‘installed Obi of Aboh Kingdom’, without being crowned by the Odua of Aboh Kingdom as stipulated by the Council of Olinzeles of Aboh Kingdom.
“The actions of Chief Dr. Greg Nnamdi Oputa not only smacks of impersonation but a radical violation of the provisions of 20 (1) and (2) of the Traditional Rulers, Council & Chiefs law of Delta State.
Accordingly, the law prohibits any person from installing another as traditional ruler and or any person from permitting himself to be installed as a traditional ruler of any community without the approval of the Delta State Executive Council in accordance with the law.
Those who fall prey of this law are imprisoned for two years or given a fine of fifty thousand naira.
The petitioner reminder the governor that Chief Greg Nnamdi Oputa was sometime in 1986 convicted of the offence of stealing in charge No. MK/84c/1986 COP V. GREGORY OPUTA & 5 ORS by A.I.M. Takpor (Esq) in a judgement of the court dated 29th August 1986.
Consequently, the four quarters of Aboh Kingdom, namely, Umu-obi, Umu-ogwezi, Umuossai and Umu-ojugbeli have variously passed resolutions denouncing the unlawful crowning of Chief Greg Nnamdi Oputa as Obi of Aboh Kingdom.
The petitioner prayed the government to set aside the selection of Chief Greg Nnamdi Oputa as the Obi of Aboh Kingdom; the processes not complied with and selection was done in contempt of court and during the subsistence of the order of injunction by the High Court of Delta State.
It further prayed the government to direct the Directorate of Chieftancy Affairs, Deputy Governor’s Office, Asaba, Delta State, to nullify and set aside every activity purportedly done by Chief Dr. Greg Nnamdi Oputa and the renegade kingmakers!
-All Rights Reserved-
Permission to use any material, including text, still photograph, audio and video from this site is granted subject to permission being formally sought and, if granted, appropriate credit must duly be given to The News Room as the source.
Stay connected, get exclusive updates, and be the first to know about all the exciting things happening. Whether you’re looking for insights, tips, or just want to be part of an amazing community, our WhatsApp group is the place to be!
👉 Don’t miss out. Click the link and be part of something awesome! 🚀