Following a kingship crisis rocking Uga Community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, the community has accused the police of intimidation and assault on the people of the area.
The community alleged that the police have been arresting the youths of the area for no just cause, adding that “it has been their stock in trade, they have dragged us to many places including Zone 9, Umuahia and Abuja”.
However, Anambra Police Command has described as false, unfounded and untrue, the allegation of intimidation and unlawful arrest as well as plans to deploy about 300 policemen to the troubled area.
“We are not even aware of the crisis and nobody has approached us to tell us about the cause," the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Okechukwu Ali, stated.
“It is not true that the police planned to deploy 300 men to Uga, for what, how many policemen are in the state that the command will deploy 300 men. It is not true and we are not even aware of any election to be conducted in Uga”, he stated.
The presentation of Prince Chidi Ezenwugo, son of late Igwe Felix Ezenwugo, as the next monarch of the community without due process and the recontesting of Dr. Godwin Okam as President General after his three year tenure in office were said to be causes of the crises in the community.
The Palace Secretary to the regent, Chief Winifred Egwuonwu had accused the former President Feneral of Uga of disobeying the gentleman’s agreement that reached with the four villages in Uga – Umunze, Oka Umuoru and Oka, that the position of PG tenure should rotate and last for only three years after which it will rotate again among three villages excluding Umueze where Igweship is hereditary according to 1984 Constitution.
As stated by the palace secretary, “throughout Okam’s reign, he has not rendered account of leadership, and they ate the money ex-Governor Peter Obi brought for the elderly. So,I petitioned the IGP, who summoned the PG, treasurer and secretary to Abuja to explain the whereabouts of the money”.
However, former PG, denied the allegation adding, “there is nothing like gentleman’s agreement on the election of PG, saying that “they should produce written evidence of that”.
“I am not aware of the agreement and there is nothing like rotation of the PG post. Everybody is free to contest and if the people feel like voting me in again as their PG I have no objection.
The Sun