The Abia State government has established a Board of Inquiry to investigate allegations of misconduct leveled against certain traditional rulers in the state. This move follows the recent suspension of Eze Kanu Nwa Kanu, the traditional ruler of Ibom Isii autonomous community in Arochukwu LGA, for alleged abuse of office.
The Board of Inquiry, chaired by Justice Igbo Akomas (Rtd) with Mrs Gold Dynoh as the Secretary, was inaugurated in Umuahia. The commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Uzor Nwachukwu, presided over the inauguration. The Commissioner explained that the board’s responsibilities include inviting and interrogating all implicated traditional rulers, providing recommendations to Governor Alex Otti, and assessing appropriate sanctions. The report of their findings is expected to be submitted within three weeks.
Nwachukwu emphasized that the state government’s actions were not intended as a witch-hunt but were taken to “ensure that the integrity of the traditional institution in the State is maintained.”
In response, the Chairman of the Board of Inquiry expressed gratitude to the Governor for entrusting them with the task, assuring that the assignment would be executed diligently in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Other members of the Board of Inquiry include Eze Linus Mba, Eze Nelson Nmerengwa, and Mrs Nkechi Ikechi.
The suspension of Eze Kanu of Ibom Isii had stirred backlash from some of his kinsmen and supporters, who condemned the government’s interference in their culture. These supporters, staging a solidarity march for the suspended ruler, claimed that the decision was harsh and lacked a fair hearing for the monarch.