Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Truth, Justice, and Peace Commission (TJPC) of Anambra State has ordered the indefinite suspension of the Palace Secretary to the traditional ruler of Obosi kingdom, Mr. Shedrack Igwebuike Okenwa.
The order followed a 2017 Anambra State High Court ruling which found the Palace Secretary to be directly involved in the killing of one Obiesie Anaekwu and inflicting injury to his mum, Ifeoma, on December 5, 2012, at Nkpor Junction, Idemili North LGA of the state.
Recall that on March 16, 2017, Justice Arinze Akabua of the High Court sitting in Ogidi judicial division entered judgment in suit number HID/MISC 30/2011 between Ifeoma Helen Anaekwu & Obiesie Michael Anaekwu vs. State Security Service and 11 Others. The respondents in the case included Mr. Shedrack Igwebuike Okenwa, who sued as lgwe Obosi’s Palace secretary.
In the judgment, the court found as a fact that named respondents, including Mr. Shedrack Igwebuike Okenwa, were present at Nkpor Junction on 05/12/12 and attacked and shot the applicants, leading to injury and trauma to the Ist Applicant and the death of the 2nd Applicant.
A statement by the Anambra Truth, Justice, and Peace Commission signed and released by its Chairman, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu said the finding of fact by the court remains in force and has not been set aside.
It said, “The Commission took a very dim view of the fact that over six years after this specific finding of fact by a court of law, Mr. Shadrack Okenwa continues to hold the office of Igwe Obosi’s Palace Secretary.”
It pointed out that Okenwa’s continued occupation of the office of the Palace Secretary is an avoidable source of distrust in the community as well as disobedience of a court judgment.
According to the statement, the traditional ruler of the Obosi kingdom, His Royal Highness Igwe Chidubem Iweka has, in a sworn testimony before the Commission, consented to the order and will transmit to the Commission within 48 hours effectuating the suspension of Mr. Okenwa in the terms ordered by the Commission
It said Igwe Obosi will transmit to its Secretariat the letter requiring the indefinite suspension of Mr. Shedrack Okanwa from the office of Palace Secretary.
It also said the suspension takes immediate effect as the Commission has taken steps to properly notify the Anambra State Government on the order.
