OKPANAM
THE Ugoani of Okpanam, His Royal Majesty (Dr) Michael Mbanefo Ogbolu, yesterday, clarified that the Ugoani is the only prescribed authority that is vested with the powers to confer traditional or honorary Chieftaincy title on anybody in Okpanam Kingdom.
Therefore, any person who performs or attempts to perform such a role, does so against the tradition, custom of Okpanam people and the ruling of a competent Court of law on the matter.
The Ugoani, who made the clarification in a letter to the Executive Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Area, Hon Innocent Esewezie, dated February 3, 2025, referred to the ruling of the High Court in Delta State, Akwukwu-Igbo Judicial Division, before His Lordship, Hon Justice M.C Okoh, on 17 March, 2020, wherein he struck out the writ of summons and statement of claim of Obi George Adimabua Ozili and Obi V.A Nwaokobia.
The learned Hon Justice Okoh, he said, upheld that the first defendant, Michael Mbanefo Ogbolu has substituted the Diokpa-Isi as the traditional ruler, and therefore, he is the prescribed authority in Okpanam Kingdom, vested with the powers to perform the installation rites of all chiefs, traditional and honorary chiefs inclusive.
The landmark judgement of Hon Justice Okoh was in Suit No. AKU/68/2012, he added.
However, in Obi Adimabwa Ozili’s quest to further his crusade, the Ugoani said, Obi Ozili went on Appeal in Asaba Judicial Division, Asaba. The Appeal was listed as No. CA/AS/228/2020, between Obi V.A Nwokobia, Obi Adimabwa Ozili (As Appealant’s/Responsants, and HRM (Dr) Mbanefo Ogbolu, Ugoani of Okpanam, P.A Dunkwu (Odogwu), George M. Olele (Uwolo), Tony Iweka (Osume), Dominic Anyasi (Ihonor), Nduka Ogwuda, Stephen Okonta, Felix Okafor, Martha Dunkwa (As Respondent’s/ Applicants).
Unable to secure victory at the Appeal Court, the Ugoani further said Chief Adimabwa Ozili resorted to self-help, by using hirelings to disturb the peace of Okpanam Kingdom, which was accordingly reported to the Directorate of Chieftaincy Affairs, Deputy Governor’s Office, Delta State.
The Directorate of Chieftaincy Affairs, in its letter, addressed to Chief Obi Adimabwa Ozili, was titled: Re-Case of impersonation of the position of Traditional Ruler of Okpanam Community and conduct likely to cause breach of the peace to Kowtow to norm or risk imprisonment, the Ugoani added.
Unfortunately, the Monarch said, on January 12, 2025, Obi Adimabwa Ozili rolled out his “War Machine” to, yet usurp the functions of his HRM Ugoani and Ugoan- In- Council of Okpanam, by plotting to install Eze Mpuko (SIL) in Amachai Quarter of Okpanam Kingdom; an act that is against the tradition of Okpanam people.
He recalled that E.O.E Osharode and CO, legal representatives to Ugoani- in-Council, in a letter, addressed to the duo of Obi Adimabwa Ozili and his co-traveler, Victor Onyeayana Okafor, informed them that their action amounted to circumvention of the ruling of Hon. Justice M.C Okoh, in suit No.AKU/68/2012, but the letter met with brick walls, as the duo refused to accept it from the Bailiff.
The letter, he said, was registered at the High Court, Akwukwu-Igbo, and was eventually delivered by courier service (DHL).
The Ugoani said, it was ridiculous that Obi Adimabua Ozili, who slyly refused to accept a Court summons from Akwukwu-Igbo High Court bailiff, has in a clever by half manner, gone to a Customary Court of Delta State to file a Court action between himself as defunct Asagba of Okpanam and Speaker, President of Izuani Okpanam (A dead body) against HRM (Dr) Mbanefo Michael Ogbolu, Traditional Ruler/ prescribed authority of Okpanam Kingdom.
He, therefore, appealed to the Executive Chairman of Oshimili North to call Obi Adimabua Ozili to order, in order to avert any break down of law and order in Okpanam Kingdom, adding that the Ugoani-In-Council and the good people of Okpanam Kingdom were committed to peace, justice and tranquility in Okpanam and its environs.
