By Akudoro Gloria
Elders of Owo community in Nkanu East LGA of Enugu State have sought the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and State Governor, Peter Mbah over the oppressive ruling of HRH Igwe Godwin Okeke Arum.
The elders also appealed to faith leaders in the state and the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers to call the Monarch and his cohorts to order, as the majority of community members have fled for safety while some are missing.
In his remarks during a press conference in Abuja, community leaders led by Mr. James Ogbodo, immediate past Chairman of Owo Development Union Abuja branch spoke against alleged atrocities perpetrated by HRH Igwe Godwin Okeke Arum whom he claimed was imposed on the community by the former Governor, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani as compensation for his service. The alleged atrocious activities including threat to life, land crabbing, neglect among others.
HRH Igwe Godwin Okeke Arum of Mbulu- Owo Autonomous Community in Nkanu East LGA Enugu State was Special Assistant to the former Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani between 1999 to 2007.
Ogbodo disclosed that community leaders sought intervention from security agencies, groups, and notable personalities for over a year, but no help was forthcoming.
“We petitioned the Deputy Inspector General of police (DIG FCID ABUJA) since Oct 2023 calling for a proper investigation but to our surprise no report has come out of it after committing time, energy and huge resources into it.
“We wrote the DG DSS Headquarters Abuja, and later with a reminder, yet nothing has changed. The same Igwe is still self-serving, repressive and cacodemonic.
Ogbodo further revealed they equally petitioned to Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah with all the evidence to back up their claims and copied same to the following personalities:
His Excellency Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani; His Excellency Barr. Sullivan I. Chime; His Excellency Dr. Jim I Nwobodo; His Excellency Hon Ifeanyi L. Ugwuanyi; Former Senate President Dist Senator Ken Nnamani; Hon Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters Enugu State; HRH Igwe Samuel I Asadu; Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council; HRH IGWE Abel Nwobodo; Patron Council of Traditional Rulers Enugu State; HRH Igwe Julius Nnaji Odezuluigbo 111of Nike; His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. VC Onaga, the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese; His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Onyeka Onyia, Anglican Bishop of Nike Diocese and Presiding Bishop of Enugu Anglican Communion among several notable individuals mentioned.
“We wrote another letter to the Governor as a reminder, still nothing changed. We again wrote some of the names mentioned above individually yet the situation remained the same.
“Gentlemen of the press, we want to let men and women of conscience know that our lives are highly threatened by the day and we cannot go back to our motherland and so the question on our lips is, “for how long shall we run from our home – for how long?
“This Igwe, in one of our general assembly meetings stood up and told everyone that the woman that will give birth to the person that can challenge his decisions in Owo has not been born yet.
“We are bringing this to the attention of the world and we make bold to say that should anything happen to any of us, Igwe Okeke Arum and his gang should be held responsible,” he said.
He recalled an attack incident that happened on 24th August, 2023 at Obodo Eze square, Ohuani Owo that left several injured including two indigenous Catholic priests were not spared by Igwe boys.
“We use this medium to humbly and passionately appeal to our peace loving President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and our amiable Governor, His Excellency Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah to direct and order for a special and thorough investigation into this our cry and bring the culprits to answer for these allegations to serve as a deterrent to others who may be toeing same line,” he appealed.
Other representatives of Owo community who also registered their displeasure over the atrocious activities are: Prince Austine Nnajieze, son of late Igwe Charles Nnajieze; John Egbo, Elder Council; Emmanuel Igweride, Town Crier; Egbonwachi Oluchukwu Jacobs; among others.