The traditional ruler of Mbutu Ukwu community in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, His Royal Highness, Eze Emma Nwaimo, has been released on bail by the Imo State Police Command.
Nwaimo was detained by the command in Owerri for allegedly planting a local pistol in a compound that led to the imprisonment of one Kelechi Ahuruonye, the son of his first cousin.
The monarch had maintained that Kelechi was responsible for planting the gun in the said compound.
His release was sequel to a high-powered delegation of Mbaise royal fathers to the police on the condition that he (Eze) would make a lasting peace between him and the Ahuruonye’s family.
It was gathered that the crisis between the two families began in August 2015 owing to a parcel of land (supposedly belonging to Kelechi Ahuruonye’s father) that the Eze was said to have insisted on acquiring.
The travails of Kelechi started when there was a burglary incident and the monarch was said to have written a petition to the police against him (Kelechi), stating that he (Kelechi) was the leader of the gang that broke into and robbed the entire compound.
Due to the petition, which claimed that Kelechi was also armed to the teeth for the said operation, Kelechi was arrested and detained by the police.
However, the truth was said to have emerged when another burglary incident happened in the area with the apprehended culprit confessing that he was the one involved in the burglary incident for which Kelechi was arrested and detained.
Kelechi’s mother, Mrs. Juliet Ahuruonye, who had reportedly paid N295,000 to bail his son, told Southern City News that when a commercial tricycle (Keke) was stolen in April, 2016 in the community, the Eze reported to the Uvuru Police Station that Kelechi was the brain behind the theft.
The alleged report to the police station by the Eze earned Kelechi another 12 days detention in the police cell.
She said the Eze and a vigilante group working for him, brought a local pistol to the police, reporting that it was the arm Kelechi used in snatching the keke from the owner.
When the owner of the tricycle, one Nelson Anyanwu, was contacted, he told Southern City News that he parked his keke at his residence, but woke up the next day to notice that it had been stolen.
He said, “Eze Nwaimo and his cabinet told me to speak against Kelechi at the police at Owerri that he used gun to snatch the keke from me.”
It was gathered that Nelson told the police the truth, which was the exact opposite of what the Eze and his men had brainwashed him to do.
The testimony was said to have led to the subsequent bail of Kelechi.
It was also gathered that subsequent invitation to the traditional ruler by the police was not heeded by him or his cohorts.
In the same vein, the Ahuruonyes, through their lawyer were said to have petitioned the state Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, asking him to properly look into the matter to find out who actually planted the gun and stole the keke.
When the traditional ruler was invited by Imo Police Command, Southern City News gathered that instead of honouring the invitation, he quickly rushed to the Zone 9, Umuahia, and made an entry.
“The Zone 9, Umuahia therefore ordered the Imo State Police Command to transfer the case to Umuahia.”
Meanwhile, Eze Nwaimo had before the arrest banished Kelechi’s mother from any community function, including market activities and relationship with Mbutu Ukwu people.
When our correspondent visited Eze Nwaimo’s palace, the royal father confirmed that there was crisis existing between him and the Ahuruonyes.
He also confirmed the arrest by the police and detention, but said that he was not put in police cell.
The monarch said, “I was asked to be in one office; that was where I was till about 12.00am when a policeman came and told me to dress up and go.
“I told him that it was already late. When the day broke, I left but before then, some Mbaise traditional rulers had come on my behalf.”
He further said that Kelechi’s mother was banished because of her unruly behaviour to the palace and the entire traditional institution of Mbutu Ukwu Kingdom.
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