My crime is seeking redress in court, Ebonyi man banished from community cries for justice

A middle-aged resident of Ndiebo Ishieke Community in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Mr. Kenneth Nwiboko-Obodo, has raised alarm over what he described as his unlawful banishment from the community for seeking redress in court.

This is coming following a video trending online involving the aged man, wife and a son who was seen decorated with charcoal ashes and palm fronds. Speaking with Mr. Nwiboko-Obodo, he alleged that he was exiled by members of the community following a legal dispute with the family member and Traditional Ruler, HRH Eze Hyacinth Awoke Nwiboko-Obodo, over what he termed inhuman treatment and irregularities surrounding the traditional stool. Speaking to journalists from a hospital bed in Abakaliki, the state capital, Kenneth maintained that his only offence was approaching the court to challenge the process that led to the monarch’s coronation. According to him, he was initially nominated by elders of his kindred as the Traditional Ruler-designate of Ndiebor Ishieke and had the backing of key stakeholders, including the Principal Secretary to the State Government, Chief Mathias Adum. He, however, alleged that the support was later withdrawn without explanation, and a date was subsequently fixed for the coronation of Eze Awoke. Kenneth further claimed that the community’s constitution stipulates a minimum qualification of a First School Leaving Certificate for anyone aspiring to the traditional stool, alleging that the requirement was overlooked during the coronation process. He explained that he initially approached the court to challenge the exercise but withdrew the suit following appeals for an out-of-court settlement. According to him, when reconciliation efforts failed, he reinstituted the case. Narrating his ordeal, Kenneth alleged that in the early hours of a Saturday, some individuals stormed his residence while he and his family were observing morning devotion. He claimed that he and his wife were assaulted, forcibly taken out of the community, and publicly humiliated. He further alleged that his house was demolished, his farm produce in the yam barn destroyed, and his personal belongings damaged, leaving his family displaced. “I am homeless today. My wife, children and I were tied with palm fronds, our bodies smeared with charcoal beyond recognition. Is seeking redress in court now a crime?” he lamented. He appealed to the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, to intervene and restore peace in the community. He also called on Chief Mathias Adum to allow reconciliation and harmony to prevail. When contacted, the Executive Chairman of Ebonyi Local Government Area, Hon. Chinedu Uburu, confirmed awareness of the incident, stating that he had spoken with family members and the victim’s lawyer. He assured that efforts were underway to visit the victim and address the situation by ensuring that he is reunited with the family. "I have been in talk with the family member and a lawyer who said that he's currently ongoing on medical treatment, so, plan is on ground for me to see the man as to reunite him and his people. Attempts to reach Chief Mathias Adum and HRH Eze Hyacinth Awoke for comments were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to them were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.