By Emma Akaeze

Enugu-------------The people of Imufu Community have passed a vote of no confidence on their traditional ruler, Igwe Remigius Attah, and asked Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to dethrone him forthwith.

They accused Attah of alleged callousness, saying that the Imufu Autonomous Community had not known peace in the last 12 years when he reportedly forged the people's constitution to get recognition from the government.

These were contained in a petition addressed to Governor Ugwuanyi dated September 11, 2020.

The letter titled, "Re: Vote of no confidence on His Royal Highness Igwe Remigius Attah of Imufu Autonomous Community, Enugu Ezike, Igbo Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State," and signed by 28 family heads of Umuowaa and Umuossai villages stressed that they have henceforth withdrawn their loyalty for Igwe Attah.   

Those who signed the letter prepared by their lawyer, Barrister Joseph Onuh, include Onyishi Mamah, Ude Ogbu Nwokoro (Umuabugu Eje); Ude Thomas Apeh (Umuokama); Remigius Eze (Umuokoro); Julius Ali (Umuomeh Okoro); Anthony Ugwuonah (Umuajibo); Alexander Abugu Ogili (Umunwoma Umuajobo) and Ude Anthony Eze (Umuabugu Umukwaba).

They also include Ude Benedict Eya (Umuayogu Ukwaba); Alexander Ojobo (Umuezocha Owaa); Ogbuja Odo (Umueya Okoshi); Marcel Obeta ( Umuonu Ukwuna); Michael Simeon (Umuonu Smoke); Boniface Ugwuanyi (Umu Amoke); Jonas Ezeja (Umu Ugwauanyi Ukwaba) and Ogbu Nwidoko (Umueje Onyinye).

Furthermore, they include Ude Obetta Nweze, (Umuokoro- Anna); Nkpozi Matthias Arji (Umiokenyi); Lazarus Asanya (Umuezocha) Adonu Idoko (Umukweze Ojobo); Ignatius Abugueke (Umuaanu Okoshi); Johnson Ogbu Ojobo (Umuedugwu Ojobo) Hyacinth Adonu (Umuetema Umuonyishi); Linus Onu (Umuonyishi); Jerome Ali (Umuasanya Ogili); Fidelis Omeje (Umuaba Oyiga) and Charles Obetta (Umuonu Oyiga).

The letter read, "We have been consulted and our services retained by the majority and principal members of Umualumona, Imufu Autonomous Community, Enugu Ezike... Enugu State (herein after referred to as our clients) It is on their behalf and with their instructions that we write you on terms hereunder stated seriatim:

"That Imufu Autonomous Community is made up of three major clans which includes Onaje, Umuossai and Umuowaa. 

"That the 'Igwe' has committed several atrocities, gross misconducts and crimes in his position as the 'Igwe' of Imufu Autonomous Community.

"That the 'Igwe' once accused one Matthew Ossai of Imufu Community of allegedly killing his full blood brother, late Fidelis Attah and he forced him to pass through trial by ordeal by drinking the water used in bathing the deceased body in his palace.

"That the 'Igwe' failed to render account for the building project of Inufu Community Secondary School and building of Paalmwine stores till date, despite all series of demands to do so.

"That one late Emmanuel Urama Eya was killed in his house and same remained hidden till date as the Igwe seems to know those behind the dastardly act.

"That the 'Igwe' was once the Chairman of Imufu Water Committee of which he failed, refused and neglected to render account of N400,000 in his custody till date despite series of repeated demands by members of the community to do so.

"That the 'Igwe' forged signatures of dead persons including that of a former minister, Elias Okete, Hon. Sylvanus Obetta and Elias Okita no as signatories to the questionable constitution of Imufu Community.

"That the 'Igwe' formed a parallel neighbourhood watch groups in Imufu that have generated a lot of confusion, insecurity and disunity in the community.

"That the 'Igwe' has once caused the carrying of mock coffins of prominent personalities in Imufu after performing the mock burials of those that are still alive.

"That the 'Igwe' told the General Assembly of Imufu Community on September 15, 2020, that he is 'aware that Imufu people do not love him but that he is being backed by the state government in his anti- people activities.'

"That it is against this background that we ask His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to use his good offices in deposing Chief Attah and replacing him with a befiting traditional ruler. 

Atttah, however denied the allegations against him, saying they were the handiwork of his enemies