His Royal Highness Chief Engr. Nicholas Muodum Obi Igwe Nnobi, The traditional ruler

The police reportedly dispersed the worshipers and congregations with teargas and horse-whips and threatened to kill the about 30 officiating priests and 5 nuns, including a Vicar and a Monsignor, representatives of the Bishops of Nnewi and Onitsha Arch-Diocese. There was also report that one of those priests whose life was put in danger just returned to Nigeria from Vatican City.

“The police invaded the Igwe Palace and told the priests to stop the mass at gun point. They warned that they would not hesitate to take action immediately if the priests continue with the mass. It was multiple abominations and violation of respected peaceful institutions, we have never seen something like that before”, according to terrified town’s residents.

The incident, according to reports reaching us, took place on January 3, 2009 in the palace of the town’s monarch, the traditional ruler called Igwe Nnobi, Chief Engineer Nicholas Muodum Obi, in the presence of the town’s administrative authorities, the elders, prominent individuals, members of the community and surrounding communities, invited guests and the officiating priests.

The occasion was planned to celebrate 70th birthday and the annual Ofala ceremony of the monarch. Ofala is a traditional annual event of great merriment, thanksgiving, fanfare, pageantries and cultural entertainment performed by the monarch in Igboland. Ofala festival is an annual celebration that commemorates a monarch’s coronation. It is a very important and sacred event drawing indigenes, guests and dignitaries from near and far.

According to the reports, police claimed they have information given in-person and in form of a signed petition that there was a disturbance in the town, and that over 70 people had already been killed and more is planned unless they intervene to stop the celebration at the Palace.

Our investigation indicate that the police actions were very provocative, but the level-headed monarch unanimously acclaimed for his peaceful dispositions and great love for his community showed the kind of leadership that ensured that no fatal casualty took place.

Africans In America News Watch investigation and findings:

Anambra State Governor Peter Obi. He sent his police to assault Nnobi traditional monarch, stop Catholic Eucharistic Mass in progress and threaten to shoot over 30 Catholic priests and nuns at the Palace of the traditional ruler.

Africans In America News Watch conducted preliminary investigation by contacting some Nnobi indigenes resident in United States who traveled home and witnessed the police siege, as well as, the authorities in Nnobi town. Our findings indicate that police’s claims were bogus and false because there was no disturbance in Nnobi town and no one was ever killed.

According to our investigation, Chief Ebubechukwu Etudo and his group, which had lost all challenges, including court petition to unseat the monarch, had written a letter to the state police command and warned of dire consequences should the planned events in Igwe Nicholas Obi’s Palace be allowed to take place.

It has to be noted that in Nigeria a State Governor is the chief security officer of his/her state, and hence, controls the police in the state. It also has to be noted that Anambra State Governor Peter Obi’s 2 siblings are: a Catholic priest and a Catholic nun. Therefore, Governor Peter Obi knows what Catholic Eucharistic Mass means. The reason the Governor sent, or, allowed his police to assault Nnobi monarch’s palace during Catholic Eucharistic Mass remains a puzzle our investigation intents to crack in near future.

Africans In America News Watch findings indicate that simple and sincere investigation would have shown the police and security agencies that the information they received were handiwork of few well-connected mischief makers, whose aim is to use the police to intimidate and terrorize the community and usurp the coveted throne.

Our sources also stated that, the indigenes of the town are terrified by the police actions because they hold their monarch, Catholic priests and nuns, and religious worships especially Catholic Eucharistic Mass in very high esteem, and to see the police violently threatening and assaulting their monarch and the Catholic priests and nuns with teargas, horse-whips and guns were unprecedented and very traumatic.

“There is a serious question on ways the Nigerian police conducted their business: police brutality, abuse of police powers, misuse of authority, threat to life and threat to public safety, and reckless endangerment to public order, lives and properties”, said another prominent indigene who will want to remain anonymous.

“Every town has mischief-makers, good and bad people and Nnobi town is not different; what is baffling here is the reason the police and security agencies choose violence instead of investigation first in accordance with due process and rule of law. The police action serves the purpose of enemies of peace and progress”, said a terrified town official who would not want to be identified.

Asked whether they see any Christian-muslin connection in the conduct of the police, our source replied, “No, not at all; all Nnobians are Christians, just very few animists, and no muslin. The problem is money, bribery and corruption. If you have money to bribe the police and security agencies, they will spoil any event to your satisfaction. That’s Nigeria; it’s called, cash and carry justice; whatever you want is possible with lots of money in your hand”.

Root cause of the problem

Africans In America News Watch investigation reveals that the epi-center of the matter is the throne of the Igwe Nnobi, the traditional ruler who is the town’s monarch.

The Igwe throne became vacant following the passing of the last monarch couple of years ago. The town’s constitution is very clear on the orderly process of filling the throne.

The town followed that process and produced their monarch but some very few, however, well-connected mischief-makers are seeking ways to terrorize and intimidate the community with ultimate view of usurping the throne. In this case, they used the Nigeria Police Force.

Structural composition of leadership and rotation in Nnobi: Igweship throne

Nnobi town is made up of 3 main communities namely; Ebenesi, Ngo and Awuda.

According to Nnobi town union’s (Nnobi Welfare Organization) constitution, the Igweship throne, the Council-of-Chiefs called Igwe Cabinet and the leadership of the Nnobi Welfare Organization rotate orderly among the 3 main communities.

The current President General of Nnobi Welfare Organization is Chief, Sir, Dr. M. O. C. Omenugha (Ichie Obama), a Polish-trained medical doctor.

According to the constitution, it is the turn of Awuda community to produce the Igwe (the town’s monarch); hence, the Awuda community produced Chief Engineer Nicholas Muodum Obi, a British trained engineer and former state government official who has brought unprecedented development in the town. The whole town enthusiastically, overwhelmingly; and almost unanimously approved his election due to his unprecedented track-record of community service and community development credentials.

Diligent compliance with due process and rule of law

His and Her Royal Highness Chief Engr. Nicholas M. Obi Igwe Nnobi and his wife, the Queen

Africans In America News Watch investigation has determined that Igwe Nicholas Muodum Obi, his Council-of-Chiefs, Nnobi Welfare Organization and the people of Nnobi town have diligently followed and complied with all the requisite due process of the town constitution and the government guidelines in electing/selecting the town monarch.

First, the Awuda community whose turn according to the Nnobi constitution to produce the monarch (Igwe of Nnobi) had duly produced Chief, Engr. Obi and he had been accepted by the town, again per constitution.

Secondly, the Nnobi Welfare Organisation, which is the town union presented Chief Engr. Obi as the Igwe-elect of Nnobi to Idemili South Local Government Council (local government authority).

Thirdly, the Idemili South Local Government Council presented Chief, Engr. Obi as the Igwe-elect of Nnobi to Anambra State Government through Anambra State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters for recognition.

Fourthly, the Anambra State Government through Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters sent the name and credentials of Chief Engr. Obi to the State Security Services, Awka, for security verification and clearance and was duly cleared.

Fifthly and subsequently, Chief Engr. Obi ‘s name was forwarded to Anambra State Governor for recognition; and according to Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, “the state has no known reason not to issue him Certificate of Recognition”.

Sixthly, on January 15, 2007, Justice J.C Iguh of Ogidi High Court granted an order in response to a motioned filed by Nnobi Welfare Organisation against Chief Ebubechukwu Etudo as defendant/respondent in which he ordered that, "The defendant/respondent is hereby restrained from parading himself or addressing himself or holding himself out as 'the Igwe-elect of Nnobi' or presenting himself at any place or forum as the Igwe-elect of Nnobi or allowing himself to be paraded, addressed or held out by anybody as the Igwe-elect of Nnobi pending the determination of the substantive suit."

Seventhly, in a counter matter filed by Chief Ebubechukwu Etudo against Chief Engr. Obi, Mr. Paul Oba, Mr. John Ojukwu, in Anambra State High Court, Ogidi challenging and seeking to disqualify Chief Engr. Obi as the Igwe-elect of Nnobi, Justice J.I. Nweze delivered a judgment on December 21, 2007, and ruled that, “The Nnobi constitution did not vest the aspirant to the Igweship throne with the right to disqualify another aspirant. That being the case, I hold that the plaintiff has no locus standi to institute this action in its present form”.

"There is evidence before me of an earlier action instituted by the plaintiff and the quarters that presented him. This is suit No. HID/2/2007. There-in they seek several reliefs including a declaration that the 1st plaintiff is purely selected and presented as the Igwe of Nnobi. That puts in perspective the point made above for the right is that of the quarter and not personal to the plaintiff."

Eighthly, on November 24, 2007, having completed the process, Chief, Engr. Nicholas Muodum Obi was crowned the Igwe Nnobi by the town’s authorities in accordance with the constitution.

Despite the facts that Igwe Nicholas Muodum Obi, his Council-of-Chiefs, Nnobi Welfare Organization and the indigenes of Nnobi town are armed with proofs of rights, due process, governments’ recognitions and court judgment, ruling and order in their favor, some individuals that consider themselves connected and powerful in the community appear to still be seeking a back-door approach to illegally reverse the due process decision of the community and governments through sheer terror and perverse logic aimed at instigating confusion, division and causing mayhem in the peace-loving community.

Criminal Violations: Giving false information to police, abusive use of police force, gross misconduct, threat to public safety, etc.

Africans In America News Watch investigation uncover serious cases of abuse and violations, some of which could be criminal in nature.

Our investigation reveals that police team estimated at about 100 battle-ready officers, armed with assault rifles, horse-whips and cans of tear gas led by a Chief Superintendent of Police stormed the monarch palace, disrupted Catholic Eucharistic Mass in progress, went to the monarch and informed him that they have order from Abuja to stop the event in his palace. The police did not tender any paper to the monarch as proof of their mission, and they became very rude when asked to produce a written proof.

Reports had it that the police also falsely claim there was a disturbance in the town, and that over 70 people had already been killed and more is planned hence their intervention to stop the celebration at the Palace.

Reports also had it that police put up barricade and stopped the Igwe’s subjects and guests from going to the palace to pay him homage.

“Following intervention of other community leaders and elders present, the police allowed the activity to continue, however, they (police) ordered it will be through within a very short period of time and as such had to intermittently intervene, threatening the Master of Ceremony (MC) to fast-track proceedings or else they (police) would stop it by force”, according to sources.

“The high point of embarrassment by the police was the forceful disruption and subsequent stoppage of a Eucharistic Mass that was already in progress as part of the celebrations planned for the day”.

”As time went by, the number of people who came to pay homage to the Monarch including dance groups increased, spilling into the nearby bushes. On sighting on-coming masquerade and dance groups, the police threw tear gas at the crowd and in the process incurring verbal wrath of the people”.

According to reports, while the police lay siege on the palace of the monarch, a group of people assembled at one of the local community centers undisturbed. A man identified to be the main contender to Igwe Nick Obi's throne reportedly introduced himself to reporters as follows, “I am Chief Ebubechukwu Etudo, Ichie Ohamadike awaiting recognition as Igwe Nnobi”.

According to him, “Nnobi has no Igwe”. Explaining further, he said, “An Igwe is a recognized traditional ruler who is also an indigene of his town and who must have good reputation and who must not be a public servant. “Under section 4 of the Traditional Rulers Law of Anambra state, an Igwe must be an indigene of that town. Engr Nick Obi has been claiming in written documents authored and signed by him that he is Igwe Nnobi. But under the Autonomous Communities Recognition Law, Engr Nick Obi is an indigene of Awuda. Since Awuda is an autonomous community, he is therefore not an indigene of Nnobi”.

According to news report, “A man in Ichie Ohamadike's camp (who asked for anonymity) confided to newsmen as follows, “Thank God those people (referring to Nnobi leadership and community in general supporting Chief Engr. Obi) did not carry their so-called celebration outside of his house. If not, you people (newsmen) would have been reporting a different thing by now; because the whole of Awuda would have been on fire by now”.

Interestingly this is the same individual who the Anambra State High Court had ordered never to parade himself anywhere as Igwe-elect of Nnobi.

The reason the Nigerian Police force descended so low and allowed itself to be so used and hence be dragged to the mud is total incomprehensible in a decent society where due process and rule of law suppose to exist. The community members interviewed believe that Nigeria’s legendary bribery and corruption may be one of the key factors at play here.

Jealousy, envy and corruption fingered as the main cause

His Royal Highness Chief Engr. Nicholas M. Obi Igwe Nnobi surrounded by family and High-Chiefs, including Chief F. O. Nwankwo, Okpala Nnobi (traditional Prime Minister

Africans In America News Watch investigation reveals the root cause of the problem may be combination of jealousy, envy and corruption.

Though there are many indigenes of the town that had worked and retired from higher positions in various local, state and federal governments in Nigeria, none had brought so many developments in the town than Chief Engr. Nicholas Muodum Obi.

While serving as Special Adviser to the Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Virgy Etiaba and back to Peter Obi on works and utilities for about 2 years, Chief Engr. Nich Obi ensured that development never-seen-before were brought and distributed in the whole of Nnobi town, including remote parts of the town that were normally (previously) neglected and harder to reach areas. Some of the development projects he brought to town include; electricity, water, and most popularly, roads.

As expected, the town leadership and indigenes almost unanimously elected and approved him as the person to occupy the throne of their monarch (Igwe Nnobi, or, The Igwe of Nnobi).

However; there were very few individuals comprising mostly retired more senior civil servants who were thoroughly shamed by the marvelous achievements recorded by populist, progressive Chief Engr. Obi. They reportedly prompted-up a much younger fellow, though armed with enormous personal wealth, perverse and divisive logic, but no known community development track-record.

Positions held by other Nnobi indigenes in various governments include: Maternal godfathers of Anambra State Governor, Senior Adviser to Anambra State Governor, Principal Secretary to Anambra State Governor, Senior Supervisor of Works to Anambra State Government, Chairman of Idemili Local Government, Board of Directors (Federal and State), Commissioners (Federal and State), Chairman of various Committees of Anambra State House of Assembly, Chairman of various Committees of Federal House of Representatives, Nigerian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and Permanent Secretaries, just to name only a few.

Other potential forces behind the threats to causes mayhem in Nnobi town

Africans In America News Watch investigation is pursuing unconfirmed, but strong allegations that some political gladiators with history of violence destruction of lives and properties in Anambra State may be behind the threats to cause mayhem in Nnobi town and perhaps other parts of the state by using agitation over the Igweship throne as ploy and pawn.

There are the unconfirmed allegations that politicians preparing for 2011 governorship elections in Anambra State may have lately discovered the strategic importance of Nnobi town in winning Anambra gubernatorial elections and may be behind the ploys and plots.

One unconfirmed strategy is that some politicians plan to cause as much tension and mayhem from behind the scene, and then come out openly to become part of the solution thereby taking credit as peacemakers. Another unconfirmed strategy is to cause as much tension and mayhem from behind the scene aimed to extract support of the very popular monarch Igwe Nicholas Obi. The third unconfirmed strategy is that some politicians preparing for 2011 governorship election in Anambra State want to install their puppet on the throne which they will use for support and other political purposes.

However, the question remains; what kind of politician will want to instigate and propagate conflict and violence as a ploy to getting into office in this day and age?

Our investigation hopes to unravel the veracity of these allegations and identities of key people behind the plots.

Below are photos of Ambassador Jerry Ugokwe, Nigerian Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna; a prominent native of Nnobi town; his roles in the police assault at Igwe Palace is subject of intense debate. He is expected to help to bring peace and development in the town.
Courtesy: www.ugokwe.com, “I invite you all to share in the moments of my life as typified by these photographs
Austrian President Dr. Heinz Fischer accepting Letter of Credence from Nigerian Ambassador Jerry Ugokwe in Vienna, Austria 6th May 2008. Courtesy: http://www.nigeriaembassyvienna.com

Nigerian police actions empower and embolden hooliganism

Africans In America News Watch investigation reveals that by getting the police to invade the monarch’s palace, disrupt the planned events and threaten the catholic priests, nuns and the large congregation at gun-point at the behest of the few mischief makers, the miscreants now feel empowered and emboldened about their exploits.

Reports indicate that some miscreants and their leaders are now openly threatening that next time there will be kidnappings, killings and burning of houses.

Our investigation reveals that though very apprehensive, the people of Nnobi town are patiently going about their businesses. The town plans to hold anyone that carry out, or supports breach of peace responsible for their actions.

Reactions from Nnobi enlightened elite and intelligentsia

Africans In America News Watch investigation reveals that Nnobi intelligentsia and enlightened elites especially those in Nigeria, United States, Canada and Europe are sending clear messages and warnings back home quoting the challenge United States President Barack Obama gave third world and rogue leaders during his inauguration:

“To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy”.

“To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist”.

The message and warning is clear enough; the world is now a small global village; this presents a clear intent to hold anyone that causes, sponsors or supports destruction of lives and properties in Nnobi and environ accountable for their actions, in line with ‘New World Order’.

The global implication of Nigerian police conduct and image of the nation

There is fear that the actions of the officers of the Nigeria Police Force in this matter could pin Nigerian government against The Vatican City, United Nations and the rest of the free world.

The invading and abusive police officers may have very difficult time explaining the bogus and false claims that there were disturbance in Nnobi town, and that over 70 people were had been killed as a result of the disturbance, hence their actions at the palace. The conducts of Anambra State Governor and the officers of the Nigerian Police Force are clearly in question.

“The conduct of the invading police officers in such a peaceful and high profile event will tarnish the image of the Nigerian Police Force”, lamented one of the guests who will not want her name published.

Efforts to get the response of the Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, the State Commissioner of Police, the State Security Services, and Nigeria Minister of External Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe have been unsuccessful at the time of publishing this report.

Lots of Lingering Questions

Africans In America News Watch investigation reveals a lot of lingering questions, some of which are the following:

• Why did Anambra State Governor Peter Obi send his police to assault and desecrate the Palace of Nnobi traditional ruler?
• Why did Anambra State Governor Peter Obi send his police to assault, desecrate, stop/interrupt Catholic Eucharistic Mass in progress and threaten to shoot over 30 Catholic priests and nuns at the Palace of Nnobi traditional ruler?
• Why did Anambra State Governor Peter Obi send his police to barricade the route leading to the Palace on Nnobi traditional monarch
• Why did Anambra State Governor Peter Obi send his police to disrupt, harass, threaten and assault members of the community and public, as well as used tear gas on peaceful and joyous dancers and entertainers at the Palace of Nnobi traditional ruler?
• Is it one of the duties of officers of the Nigeria Police Force to disobey unlawful orders?
• Why did the officers of the Nigeria Police Force carry out such unlawful orders at the palace of Nnobi traditional ruler?

Africans In America News Watch investigation intends to solve some of these puzzles in very near future.