Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN has written to strongly opposed the letter sent by the Attorney-General of Anambra State on Alor Community Igweship Tussle.
Dr Ikpeazu who is the legal representative of Alor Monarch, IGWE MacAnthony Okonkwo, in a letter to the state government said “the letter contained language that could undermine the Authority of the court and interfere with the judicial process.”
In the letter made available to journalists, the astute legal luminary said:
“The opinion contained in the said letter which obviously assumed the dimension of orders that can only be made by a court, especially when the matter is still pending in court, is capable of undermining the authority of the court and places such an opinion in competition and indeed in conflict, with established judicial process and powers of a court of law.”
Continuing, the legal silk stated “We have in this correspondence presented the facts which we strongly believe if they had been made available to the honorable Attorney- General & Commissioner for Justice by the addressee of the letter which is the subject matter of this correspondence, would have immensely guided the opinion rendered in the said letter. We were, however, unaware of the petition which necessitated the letter under reference but only became aware of it when it was brought to the attention of our clients.”
Concluding he said: “In view of the above, we implore the learned AG, to address the issues raised in the correspondence with a view to correcting the impressions that had been, perhaps, erroneously created by the letter of 22nd of August 2023 under reference. By so doing, the integrity of the court and it’s processes would have been maintained by the Government and particularly Office of the Honorable Attorney-General.
“It is hoped that the clarifications provided by this letter would assist your good office in rendering an informed opinion on the matter, as against issuing declaratory and injunctive orders over matters that are already before the Court of Appeal.”
Meanwhile the people of Alor under the umbrella of ALOR CONCERNED CITIZENS, with it’s spokesperson as Rev. Innocent Chukwudi Peace-Udochukwu, and ALOR CONCERNED CITIZENS in Abuja, headed by Pharmacist Chibeze Ezeukwu have come out in strong defense of the embattled Monarch, in a press conference held on Friday at the NUJ Secretariat Awka.
The group in their press statement said: “We the Concerned members of Alor Community are here today to tell the World that the recent allegations about a purported dethronement by the courts leveled against our Traditional Ruler, IGWE MAC ANTHONY CHINEDU OKONKWO EZEDIOHAMMA III OF ALOR KINGDOM are false, misleading and only exists in the imagination of few of those disgruntled Individuals in our community who have taken it upon themselves to keep fanning the embers of discord in our peace loving community.
In press statement signed by the group’s Spokesperson Rev. Innocent Chukwudi Peace-Udochukwu and the traditional Prime minister of Alor Chief Dr Ben Udeze, (Onowu Alor), the group said:
“We are here today to speak out against the destructive and divisive actions of these individuals in our community.”
“Their attempts to sow discord and deceive others through false testimony are not only damaging to our social fabric, but also a violation of the values and principles that we hold dear.”
The group also said: “Let it be known that the court case is still ongoing at the court of Appeal and no ruling has been made.”
“We are also here today to show solidarity to our IGWE and to make it clear that all well meaning Ndi-Alor stand firmly behind our monarch and denounce the efforts of a few individuals who have taken it upon themselves to always deceive the public through evil propagandas in order to creat unnecessary crisis and if possible to undermine our community.”
“We are using this medium to call on the court to fairly and expeditiously resolve this matter, and we urge all members of our community and indeed friends of Ndi-Alor to reject the misinformation being spread and to support our monarch during this challenging time.”
“This conflict has deep roots, dating back to about nine years. And It’s driven by a small group of individuals who seek to gain power and influence by sowing division and discrediting the monarch despite every efforts been made to reach a peaceful resolution to the unwarranted crisis.”
“Their selfish actions are disrespectful to the community and its rich history, and undermine the stability and prosperity of the community as a whole.”
