Igwe Humphrey Ejesieme, the traditional ruler of Umuona community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, has filed a lawsuit against Governor Chukwuma Soludo and four others. He is seeking punitive and aggravated damages totaling N50 million from the second to fifth defendants for allegedly misleading Governor Soludo into approving the withdrawal of Ejesieme’s certificate of recognition as the traditional ruler of Umuona.
The defendants named in the lawsuit include Hon. Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs; Chief Kenneth Okoli, President-General of the Umuona Progressive Union (UPU); Engr. Anthony Muobike, Secretary-General of UPU; and Chief Sunday Christopher Ikechukwu Ezeofor.
In the statement of claim filed at the Aguata High Court Registry by his legal counsel, Chief Ikenna Egbuna SAN, Igwe Ejesieme is also seeking a declaration from the court that the selection of Ezeofor as the Igwe of Umuona is null and void.
Furthermore, the plaintiff is requesting the court to order Governor Soludo to reinstate his Certificate of Recognition, which was allegedly wrongfully withdrawn by the state government. Additionally, Igwe Ejesieme is seeking an injunction to prevent Governor Soludo from granting a certificate of recognition to Ezeofor.