Premium News
ENUGU COMMUNITY FILES PROCEEDINGS AGAINST COMMISSIONER
The Obeagu Ugwuaji Community in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State has initiated committal proceedings against Deacon Okey Ogbodo, the Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development, and Chieftaincy Matters.
In a statement made available to our correspondent on Monday, the community alleged that the commissioner disobeyed a court order by constituting a caretaker committee for the ObeaguUgwuaji Development Union despite a subsisting injunction.
A judgement of an Enugu State High Court presided by Justice C.A. Ogbuabo, had on June 2, 2025, restrained the commissioner from constituting a caretaker committee pending the determination of a substantive application for Judicial Review.
Justice Ogbuabo gave the order in Suit No. E/508M/2025 between Obi Chukwunonso Freedom, Obi Ekene, Ani Cyril, and Egbo Romanus as applicants for themselves and on behalf of the Obeagu Ugwuaji Awkunanaw and HRH Igwe Christopher Nyia, Hon. Deacon Okey Ogbodo, Hon. Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Matters, and Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Matters as the 1st to 3rd Respondents, respectively.
In a motion ex-parte, the applicants, brought through their counsel EmekaAbahEsq, pursuant to Order 39 Rule 1, Order 40 Rule 1 (A), 2, 3, and 6 (A) of the High Court Rules, 2020, and under the inherent jurisdiction of the Honorable Court, the court found that the depositions showed that there was a compelling need to grant leave to apply for judicial review.
Justice Ogbuabo consequently ordered: “That leave be and is hereby granted to the Applicants to apply for an Order of Judicial Review, to wit; Order of Prohibition and an Order of Mandamus.
“That the 2nd Respondent be and is hereby Prohibited from constituting a Caretaker Committee of the ObeaguUgwuaji Development Union pending the determination of the substantive application for Judicial Review. That the matter be and is hereby adjourned to the 19th day of June 2025 for Hearing of the application for Judicial Review.”
However, the commissioner allegedly disregarded the court order and went ahead to constitute the committee, a development that is causing tension in the community.
The community has filed Form 48, a notice of consequences of disobedience to the court order, which is a precursor to committal proceedings.
The President General of the ObeaguUgwuaji Development Union, Mr. Obi Chukwunomso Freedom, confirmed that the community has taken steps to commit the commissioner to prison over the alleged contempt.
The community alleged that the commissioner backdated the appointment letters of the caretaker committee to give it legitimacy, despite being aware of the court order, adding that the commissioner, had claimed that the action was taken before the receipt of the injunction.
The Form 48: “Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Order of Court,” obtained on Monday, which was dated June 10 and filed on the same date, was addressed “to Deacon OkeyOgbodo, Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development & Chieftaincy Matters.”
It read: “Take Notice that unless you obey or cause the directions contained in this judgment/order of court attached herein in respect of SUIT NO. E/508M/2025, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”
The development has heightened tensions in the community, with many calling for the commissioner to respect the rule of law and obey the court order. The community is seeking justice and adherence to due process.
Meanwhile, the commissioner has declined to comment on the issue as he could not take his calls or respond to a text message seeking his reaction.
