Delta monarch denies installing Iyase of Ogwashi Uku

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba.

The Obi of Ogwashi Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta state, Prof. Chukwuka Okonjo on Thursday said that the issuance of the certificate of gazette by the Delta State Directorate of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to one Chief Mike Nwaukoni is wrong as he was never installed by him as the Iyase of Ogwashi uku.

While appealing to the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to order the withdrawal of the certificate issued to Nwaukoni, Obi Okonjo who spoke to journalists in his palace,alleged that the certificate was issued in breach of the rule of law, given the fact that Olinze Uche Collins Afuwah is the person he conferred the title of Iyase on having been installed as such by him.

In a protest letter addressed to the governor, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent and signed by Obi Okonjo, the monarch added that “in the certificate, the chieftaincy title is said to have been conferred on Mike Nwaukoni by Felix Ogo Chukwuka Izediunnor 11, the Obi Of Ogwashi Uku in June 29, 2004.

“In the history of Ogwashi uku and in government records, there is no traditional ruler of Ogwashi Uku known as Felix Izediunnor Ogochukwuka.” 

The letter further adds that “I have never recognized, treated or accepted Mike Nwaukoni as the Iyase of Ogwashi Uku. Given my refusal to recognize him as Iyase of Ogwashi Uku, he filed a suit in which the attorney general of Delta state, the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs and I are the fourth, third and second defendants respectively.”

Obi Okonjo while frowning at the alleged reliance by the directorate of local government and chieftaincy affairs on a Supreme Court judgement to issue the certificate, argued that no Supreme Court could have made such a declaration as no such judgement exist, adding that “the Supreme Court did not declare Mike Nwaukoni the Iyase of Ogwashi Uku or ordered the government or anyone to recognize him as such.

“In the absence of such a judgement or order, I cannot fathom how or why the permanent secretary ordered the withdrawal of the certificate of registration, the government earlier issued to Chief Collins Afuwah the Iyase of Ogwashi Uku pursuant to my letter to that effect,” he stated.