Mkpu-Nando in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra state has
fallen apart following the youths protest against their monarch, Igwe
Alex Edozieuno, over the alleged misappropriation of N150m land proceeds
two days after government also ban their Iwa Ji (yam) festival.
The proposed Iwa Ji festival and conferment of Chieftaincy titles to
some individuals by Mkpu Nando community, Aguleri on Aug. 26 and Aug.
27 was cancelled by the state government.
According to a release signed by commissioner for local government,
Chief Greg Obi, the cancellation was due to security concerns and fears
about public safety.
It therefore urged all concerned stakeholders including law enforcement
agencies to take note of the important directive from the state
government.
Youths of Mkpu-Nando in the Anambra East Local Government Area of
Anambra State, on Tuesday, staged a protest against their monarch, Igwe
Alex Edozieuno, over the alleged misappropriation of N150m land proceeds
belonging to the community.
Displaying placards with various inscriptions, the youths and women on
Tuesday during a protest asked the monarch to produce the missing money
to avoid further rage.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards read, ‘He must refund our
money’, ‘We don’t need this kind of monarch again’, ‘This Igwe should be
arrested and prosecuted’, ‘Governor Willie Obiano come and rescue’.
They marched on the Ama Umuawulu village square and other roads in the
community, including the frontage of the monarch’s palace singing
uncomplimentary songs about the Igwe.
Security operatives, however, prevented the crowd of about 400 persons,
from entering the monarch’s compound.
The leader of the protesters, Ifeanyi Iloakasia, a lawyer, said the
state government should order the monarch to refund the money to the
community.
He said the N150m was the compensation the state government paid to the
community for its acquired land.
Iloakasia stated, “If the government fails to intervene and retrieve the
money from Igwe, we will not have any option but to resort to self-help.
“The monarch and the estate valuer are in an unholy alliance to rip off
the Mkpunando community and we will not allow this to happen in our
place.
“The total money paid to the community by the government was N150m,
while the commission was N15m for the facilitators and till date, we
have not received anything from the Igwe.”
They marched on the Ama Umuawulu village square and other roads in the
community, including the frontage of the monarch’s palace singing
uncomplimentary songs about the Igwe.
Security operatives, however, prevented the crowd of about 400 persons,
from entering the monarch’s compound.
The leader of the protesters, Ifeanyi Iloakasia, a lawyer, said the
state government should order the monarch to refund the money to the
community.
He said the N150m was the compensation the state government paid to the
community for its acquired land.I
“If the government fails to intervene and retrieve the money from Igwe,
we will not have any option but to resort to self-help.
“The monarch and the estate valuer are in an unholy alliance to rip off
the Mkpunando community and we will not allow this to happen in our
place.
“The total money paid to the community by the government was N150m,
while the commission was N15m for the facilitators and till date, we
have not received anything from the Igwe.”
Reacting Igwe Edozieuno described the protesters as liars, adding that
he did not owe anybody or group.
He said the main issue for the protesters’ action was not the money, but
because he defeated the family of the initiators during the kingship
contest.
“Since then, some of them have refused to give up.
“They know that I am a rich man that I have no reason to touch their
money. I made money when I was 20 years old and bought my first car at
that age also.
Their allegations hold no water,” he said.