A Pro-democracy and Advocacy Organization, Rainbow Coalition has raised alarm that Governor Rochas Okorocha’s continuous disregard for Court judgements and the rule of law is capable of throwing Imo State into chaos and anarchy, warning that Okorocha and Eze Samuel Ohiri risk being jailed for contempt of Court for flouting the Court of Appeal judgment of July 5, 2013 which reinstated Eze Cletus Ilonuanya as Chairman of Imo State Council of Ndieze.
In a statement endorsed by Mazi Fidelix Nwabueze, Rainbow Coalition’s South East Co-ordinator, the Group stated that “it is against democratic norms for the Governor of Imo State, Chief Rochas Okorocha to refuse to reinstate HRH Eze Cletus Ilomuanya as the Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers despite the Court of Appeal judgement directing him to do so”. While positing that the judiciary in any democratic nation is the custodian of the constitution, the Group frowned at the attitude of any government that disobeys the ruling of any competent court of law.
The statement averred that the allegation been made in several quarters that Governor Okorocha is a serial law breaker is beginning to garner credibility, pointing out that it is most unfortunate that a Governor who swore to uphold and respect the constitution, has turned around to willfully treat the same constitution that is keeping him in office with contempt. The group maintained that nothing short of providing an enabling atmosphere for Eze Cletus Ilomuanya to resume duties as Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers in compliance with the Court of Appeal’s declaratory judgement, is acceptable to them. “We therefore urge and demand Governor Rochas Okorocha as a matter of urgency to reinstate HRH Eze Cletus Ilomuanya and allow peace to reign in Imo State”.
The Rainbow coalition also blasted the Igbo Council of Title Holders in USA (COTTHUSA), for ignorantly meddling into the issue of Ndieze in Imo State and condemning the Court Judgement that reinstatement Eze Ilomuanya. According to it, “it is irresponsible for people living in a civilized society like USA to make unsubstantiated and uncomplimentary remarks in the print media against judgement of courts in their country”, adding that their utterances are induced by personal aggrandizement and self – interest gratification.
The statement reminded the COTTHUSA that Nigerians no longer take kindly to neo-colonial mentality, stressing that they are expected to exhibit decorum in their comments and actions especially on issues concerning Nigeria’s judiciary instead of indulging in laughable criticisms.
Signed:
KENNEDY EWEAMA
Chief Press Secretary to Chairman
Imo State & South East Councils of Traditional Rulers
