Enugu: Police Re-Arrest Ekweremadu’s Ally

Men of the Criminal In
vestigation Department (CID) of the Nigeria Police, Enugu State Command, have allegedly re-arrested the dethroned traditional ruler of Amandim-Olo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, HRH Igwe Hayford Agana, along with four cabinet chiefs loyal to him.
This is coming on the heels of the allegation that the Enugu State Government on Thursday issued a letter of recognition to a new traditional ruler, Chief Eric Nwankwo, whom it allegedly imposed on the community.
Igwe Agana who had earlier told journalists that he was being persecuted for associating with the Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, was initially removed as the Chairman of Enugu West Traditional Rulers Council where both Ekweremadu and Governor Sullivan Chime hail from, before he was subsequently suspended for allegedly failing to return a bus and N1 million, which the Enugu State Government claimed were assets of the Traditional Rulers Council.
However, the monarch in his reply dated March 11, 2014 and backed with receipt of purchase and vehicle registration particulars said: “The vehicle you were referring to was a gift given to me by Ekweremadu. Since July 12, 2013, when he gave me the bus, I have used it not only for myself, but for the purpose of Enugu West Traditional Rulers. That act of magnanimity on my part cannot however change the fact that the vehicle was given to me personally.”
Ekweremadu corroborated the explanation in a letter to the Enugu State Government. “I did not only buy or donate the bus to the Traditional Rulers Council of Enugu West. I also gave him the sum of N1million as donation to assist him with the initial operating cost of the said bus”, he explained.
However, the state’s government in a July 18, 2014 letter entitled ‘Withdrawal of Recognition as Traditional Ruler’, and signed by the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Pastor Emeka Abugu, said: “I am directed to refer to my earlier letter No: MCM/CM/605/VOL.111/101 dated June 17, 2014, suspending you as the traditional ruler of your community.
“Consequent upon your refusal to comply with government directives therein, your recognition as traditional ruler is hereby withdrawn pursuant to section 10 of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Law.”