Unknown gunmen have kidnapped the Obi of Ogodor, HRM Sunday Olisewokw, in Aniocha North local government area of Delta state.
According to family sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, the monarch who is the chairman of Aniocha Traditional Rulers Committee was abducted at the weekend about 4:20pm on his way from an event at Ugbodu and taken to an unknown destination.
According to reports, two of the aides of the king were seriously wounded by the kidnappers in the heat of his abduction. It was further gathered that the kidnap is not unconnected with the stance of the monarch on the lingering Idumuje Ugboko royal dispute in Aniocha North local government area.
Reports have it that the obi along with other traditional rulers in Aniocha North have insisted that due process based on established traditional norms must be followed in the face of several court cases on the issue of eligibility of one Nonso Nwoko to ascend the throne of the Obi of Idumuje Ugboko.
The kidnapped monarch had in a letter addressed to the Permanent secretary, Directorate of chieftaincy Affairs, Deputy Governor’s office Asaba, on behalf of Aniocha North kings, dated May 3, 2018, titled ” RE -APPOINTMENT OF PRINCE JUSTIN OREZE CHUKWUNONSO NWOKO AS THE OBI OF IDUMUJE UGBOKO KINGDOM ” warned that non adherence to established procedure in crowning a new obi could ” lead to mayhem ” and unprecedented violence in Idumuje Ugboko.
In the letter signed by the obi of Ogodor and the secretary of Aniocha North traditional rulers committee, Mr. Nwaokolo Louis, the traditional rulers noted that beyond customary guidelines for royal ascension “there are many court cases challenging the enthronement of Nonso Nwoko of which the Aniocha North traditional rulers committee is a party.”
There are reports that the brother of Prince Nonso Nwoko, one Barr. Mbanifo Nwoko had made several telephone calls and also written to threaten the traditional rulers in Aniocha North LGA in a bid to force the monarchs to give approval for the ascension of Nonso Nwoko to the throne as Obi of Idumuje Ugboko.
On Friday, June 1, the said Barr. Nbanifo Nwoko is said to have refused service of a court of appeal process seeking an injunction restraining the enthronement of Nonso Nwoko as the Obi of Idumuje Ugboko. The whole scenario according to a source at Idumuje Ugboko smacked off desperation to ensure that Nonso Nwoko ascends the throne as Obi without regards to due process and the law.
Only Last month crisis erupted at Idumuje Ugboko following a controversial visit by the senator representing Delta North, Peter Nwaoboshi to Nonso Nwoko where he reportedly received “royal blessings” from Nonso Nwoko on behalf of the Idumuje Ugboko people, in his quest to return to the Red Chambers come 2019.
However, the Iyase of Idumuje Ugboko community, Chief Chris Ogwu in a swift reaction said there has been no installation of any Obi to succeed the late Obi , Albert Nwoko who joined his ancestors two years ago. Chief Ogwu countered that the visit is misleading and uncalled for, as it is on record that nobody has been recognized by the Delta state government either in verbal pronouncement or presentation of staff of office as Obi of Idumuje Ugboko.
