Press Release Imo Councils Of Traditional Rulers: “Motion for Stay of Execution, a ruse”

The attention of the Obi of Obinugwu and Chairman,  Imo State and South East Councils of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze (Dr) Cletus Ilomuanya, CON, has been drawn to misleading media reports that a Motion for Stay of Execution of the landmark Court of Appeal’s judgement delivered on July 5, 2013, which reinstated him as the Chairman of Imo  State Council of Traditional Rulers (Ndieze) has been filed against the execution of the judgement. The sponsored media reports also stated that a Notice of Appeal has equally been filed at the Supreme Court against  the Court of Appeal’s judgement.

For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state categorically that the purported Stay of Execution Motion is not only a RUSE designed to mislead the unsuspecting  public and therefore, attract undeserved sympathy, but is also a valueless Motion targeted at making a caricature of our judiciary.

The purported Motion filed on  Monday 16-09-2013 was an after-thought as it was personally signed and received by the Chief Press Secretary to Eze Ilomuanya, Mr. Kennedy Eweama, on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at about 2.15pm, at the monarch’s Palace Extension in Owerri. The proof of service is at the Court of Appeal for cross –checking.

While we have referred the purported  Motion for Stay of Execution and the Notice of Appeal at the Supreme Court to His Royal Highness’ lawyers  for proper evaluation and necessary legal action, we wish to further clarify as follows:

1. 1.           A Motion for Stay of Execution or Notice of Appeal, does not, has never and will never operate as a Stay of Execution unless it is heard and a valid Order made thereto by  a competent Court.

1. What Eze Ilomuanya’s antagonists are doing tantamount to somebody applying for a job and  at the same time pronouncing himself employed without being interviewed  by the prospective employer. The documents being circulated in the media have not even received the Court’s attention as no date has been fixed for hearing, not to talk of the motion been heard and an Order made. Therefore, what the circulators  of the purported court document are doing amounts to self serving  and an attempt to run faster than their shadow.

1. The Court of Appeal judgment /Order which reinstated HRH Eze (Dr.) Cletus Ilomuanya is Declaratory. This  means that it must be enforced irrespective of the other party’s right of appeal. It can only be halted when a superior order is made by the Court on the extant judgment/ order. In this case, there is none.

1. Obviously, there is nothing to appeal against. The present antic is aimed arm-twisting and subverting  the Court of Appeal judgement/Order and nothing more. Imo people and indeed,  Nigerians are aware of this fact. This is most pathetic and unfortunate.

However, as this unnecessary distraction is being sorted out, it remains undisputable that HRH, Eze (Dr.) C.I Ilomuanya  CON,is the Chairman of Imo State Council  of Traditional Rulers (Ndieze)  and will continue to Perform his lawful duties in that capacity. Any other person, who believes he is the Chairman other than HRH Eze Ilomuanya, should be bold enough and address a Press Conference on that issue for the Public to acknowledge him as such.

Furthermore, His Royal Highness wishes to state unequivocally that the struggle to reclaim his mandate is for the protection of the dignity and sanctity of the traditional institution. It is not a personal struggle. It is in the interest of equity, justice and fairness which is in tanderm with the “Rule of Law must Reign”  mantra of His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, OON, Governor of Imo State.

His Excellency, Owelle Okorocha is HRH’s brother and Governor, whom he holds in high esteem. He therefore, re-assures His Excellency of his cooperation and utmost cooperation in the task of governing ImoState.

Finally, we urge the public to disregard in totality the issue of a purported and valueless motion been misconstrued to be a valid order of court. There is presently, No Court Order restraining HRH Eze (Dr.) C.I Ilomuanya CON, from functioning as Chairman of Imo State Council of Ndieze. The public should be vigilant and wary of documents being desperately smuggled into media houses for publication through mercantile writers, who are most willing to do anything for a token.

According to Usman Dan Fodio, “Conscience is an open wound which only truth can heal” Time heals everything.

Signed

KENNEDY EWEAMA ESQ

Chief Press Secretary to Chairman

Imo State & South East Councils of Traditional Rulers