Alleged Security Breach: Abia Deposes Two Monarchs

Abia State Government has deposed two traditional rulers in the state. Consequently, the certificate of recognition and staff of office presented to His Royal Highness, Eze Reuben Nworgu of Ihe-Iyi Autonomous Community in Ugwunagbo local government area and His Royal Highness, Eze Emmanuel Simeon Oforji of Isi-Obehie Autonomous Community in Ukwa-West local government area have been withdrawn automatically.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sam Hart, who made the development public in a statement made available to The Tide, in Umuahia weekend, said the two monarchs were no longer recognized by government which has given them seven days to return government property with them and placed them under security watch.
The action is coming barely three weeks after Governor Theodore Orji, had at an emergency meeting with the royal fathers at the Michael Okpara Auditorium last June 9, warned that he would not hesitate to dethrone any traditional ruler found to be involved in any form of kidnapping activities.
The governor had said that security reports at his disposal indicate that some monarchs were part of the kidnap syndicate.
However,the Chief Press Secretary did not disclose the offence committed by the dethroned royal fathers whose domains are on the fringes of kidnap-prone zones of Aba and Isiala Ngwa.
But sources in Government House said that they were allegedly being seen as security risks.
The statement read:”The Abia State Government wishes to announce that it has withdrawn its recognition to His Royal Highness, Eze Reuben Nworgu of Ihe-Iyi Autonomous Community in Ugwunagbo local government area and His Royal Highness, Eze Emmanuel Simeon Oforji of Isi-Obehie Utonomous Community in Ukwa-West local government area.
“By this announcement, all rights and privileges accruing to them as Traditional Rulers in Abia State have been suspended forthwith.”
“They are requested to return the Staff of Office presented to them and their Certificate of Recognition as Traditional Rulers to the Abia State Government through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs within seven days from the date of this announcement.”
“Government has further set-up machineries to monitor their activities and wherever they are found to have committed any offence, they will be made to face the full weight of the law.”

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru (right) in a chat with Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji at the commissioning of Protea Hotel in Port Harcourt, recently.