Awaka Monarch, Eze Emezi Returns To Heroic Welcome

.The Battle Is Over – Royal Father Declares

As the vibrating sounds of dane gun rent the air, signifying his arrival, the people of Awaka Ancient Kingdom in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State erupted in celebration of what could best be described as a hard-fought victory.

A massive crowd lined the major road to the community to accord a rousing welcome to their traditional ruler, HRM Eze Charles Nnamdi Emezi who had returned to the community on Saturday, after a Supreme Court ruling brought to an end a protracted battle for the royal stool of the community which had lasted for more than 30 years.

At the large compound of the Emezi family, indigenes of Awaka couldn’t contain their joy, as many described Eze Emezi as a monarch in whom they are well pleased.

They were effusive in praises to God for the end of the more than three decades of legal battle, expressing gratitude to the judiciary for affirming what they described as the choice of the people.

In an interview, Eze Emezi declared that the “war is over” and called on all indigenes of the community to join hands in building a greater Awaka.

The soft-spoken monarch stated that he was not coming to rule, but to serve the people, adding that it is time to galvanise for the further advancement of the community which he said is blessed with great minds.

He gave a detailed chronicle of the events that characterised the over 30-year legal battle for the royal stool of the community.

“I ascended the throne according to the constitution of our community. The throne rotates among the villages that make up the community. Awaka has three villages – Ndiegbelu who is the first son; Umuodu, the second son and the third son is Amuzi.

“Awaka became autonomous community in 1976. We had a constitution which stipulated that the ezeship will be rotatory and that it will start from Umuodu. Our reason was simple – Ndiegbelu and Amuzi had Warrant Chiefs. Umuodu never had Warrant Chief. So, Umuodu took it. That was how we had the 1st Ezikaoche, Chris David Osuagwu.

“Chris David Osuagwu was a product of rotational stool, not hereditary stool because the Osuagwus never had an Eze before him. Awaka never had a traditional ruler apart from Warrant Chiefs before him. So, he became the Ezikaoche 1.

“When he passed on, it came to Ndiegbelu. But Ndiegbelu had different contenders and couldn’t understand themselves. In the process, Akujobi David Osuagwu, the nephew of Chris David Osuagwu emerged from nowhere. On the eve of Col. Tanko Zubairu leaving Imo State as Sole Administrator, for reasons best known to him, he gave Akujobi staff of office. My village felt cheated and went to court.

“The village nominated my uncle, Late Herbert Emezi to sue on their behalf. A High Court in Owerri gave a judgement that the purported recognition and staff of office given to Akujobi does not meet the constitution of Awaka, is null and void and that Akujobi should not parade himself as the traditional ruler of Awaka.

“Akujobi went on appeal. Mid way into the appeal, Herbert died. After one year of mourning ceremony, Ndiegbelu met again, selected me through the process provided by the constitution and presented me to Awaka people, but Akujobi objected. We went to Court of Appeal for substitution of name and court ruled in our favour. I won the substantive matter at the Court of Appeal.

“Akujobi went to Supreme Court after losing the appeal. We spent 13 years at the Supreme Court, from one motion to another. Unfortunately, he died. The family of Osuagwu came for substitution and the court said that Osuagwu royal family is not known in the matter, that the person who sued is Akujobi David Osuagwu. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal.

“Since the Supreme Court dismissed his appeal, it implies that the judgement by the Court of Appeal affirming that of the High Court stands. That is what we are celebrating, and that is the end of the matter.

“To my community, I’m not coming to rule, I’m coming to serve. Let all of us come back together, the war is over. We will progress more when we have peace and unity”, Emezi submitted.

In a chat, the Secretary, Owerri North Traditional Council of Chiefs, Chief Sam Nwanaeri, said the community had been waiting earnestly for the Supreme Court judgement and urged all to join hands with Eze Emezi.

“We have been waiting for the Supreme Court judgement and every Awaka man believes that whatever the Supreme Court decided is what we will do. Awaka should queue behind Charles Emezi”, he stated.

Retired Magistrate Ejike Opara described Eze Emezi as a square peg in a square hole.

“It’s memorable. We have come a long way for today. For over 30 years, we have been in court on this issue – from High Court to Supreme Court. We are all happy.

“For a long time, in terms of ezeship in this out community, Awaka, we are going to put a square peg in a square hole”, Opara enthused.

In a telephone interview, Mr. Kingsley Nnaji, a cousin to Eze Emezi, who lives in the diaspora, described the victory at the Supreme Court as an act of God.

Nnaji submitted that the voice of the people is the voice of God, adding that Eze Emezi is a ’round peg in a round hole’ and wished him success on the throne.