As crisis continues to tear Idumuje Ugboko apart, Prince Walters Eziashi has come to the defence of Prince Ned Nwoko. Some persons have raised allegations that Prince Ned Nwoko is part of the crisis in the community.
But Eziashi, former president-general of the Idumuje Udgboko Development Union, said it is not Ned being the cause ,it is the the crown prince, Nonso Nwoko, who is not ready for peace talks. He revealed that all efforts at peace meetings have been rebuffed by the crown prince.
Eziashi spoke with The Pointer Newspaper in Issele Uku, said those who are linking the crisis with the land on which Ned is building his university are getting the matter wrong. He said Ned had already procured the land prior to the death of the late Obi, HRM Albert Nwoko.
He revealed different documents indicating that the land had been procured by Ned prior to the death of Obi Albert Nwoko. The documents showed the land had been transferred to Prince Ned before the late Obi passed on.
Prince Eziashi told The Pointer that allegations that Prince Ned demanded for land but Prince Nonso asked him to develop the portion allotted to him by the late king before demanding for another was false.
Prince Eziashi said despite the land was acquired by Ned from the former king, Prince Nonso instituted legal action against Ned but Ned has consistently won all cases against him. He said the last ruling was on June 3, 2019.
Eziashi dismissed as falsehood, claims that Nonso asked Ned to develop the land he initially acquired before demanding for more. He said Prince Ned has never discussed any land issue with Prince Nonso.
He said as it is now, the crown prince has not been recognised by the government of Delta state. He said the office of the deputy sent a letter to the community saying that until all subsisting issues are resolved, there can’t be any kingship talk in Idumuje Ugboko community.
A copy of the letter, signed by Omonyeme Erute, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, was made available to The Pointer. Following his non-recognition by the government, Prince Nonso does not attend meetings of the traditional rulers council of the local government.
Eziashi told our reporter that there is an injunction restraining him from parading himself as Obi, adding that what he is doing at the moment is contempt of court.
Our reporter made attempts to reach the palace for comments, but efforts made were rebuffed. Prior to visiting the palace, a call was put to the crown prince. Immediately he heard: ‘I’m a journalist from The Pointer,’ he said: “stop harassing me” and hung the call. Despite the response, our reporter visited the palace at IdumujeUgboko where one Peter began talking with him but a directive came from within the palace and the interview was stopped abruptly
