Port Harcourt Monarch Petitions Daura Emirate Over Alleged Fraudulent Representation
The historic turbanning of the Honourable Minister of Transportation and former Rivers State governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi by the Emir of Daura, Faruk Umar Faruk on Saturday, February 5, 2022 in Daura, Katsina State may have come and gone, but the event continues to generate reactions.
The Transportation Minister who stormed the hometown of President Muhammadu Buhari with a retinue of dignitaries, including friends, relations and associates and traditional rulers for epochal ceremony, was honoured with the traditional title of Dan Amanar Daura (trusted son of Daura) amid fanfare.
But, ten days after the event, the Eze Epara Rebisi XII and paramount ruler (King) of Port Harcourt, HRM, Eze Barrister Uchechukwu Isaiah Elikwu, JP has petitioned the Emir of Daura, Faruk Umar Faruk over what he says is a ‘fraudulent claim of one Prince Victor Woluchem as King of Port Harcourt and a prominent Chief of Ikwerre nation’.
In the petition which was signed by the Secretary of Port Harcourt City Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze Christopher Wonodi, the Port Harcourt monarch expressed surprise that Woluchem misrepresented himself before the Emir of Daura as the King of Port Harcourt and prominent chief of Ikwerre nation, in fragrant disregard of a High Court order in Suit No. PHC/1818/2013 restraining him from parading himself as the Eze Epara Rebisi and Paramount Ruler of Port Harcourt.
“Moreso, the Rivers State government, to the knowledge of Prince Victor Woluchem, in compliance with the judgement aforestated, formally presented to His Royal Majesty, Eze Barrister Uchechukwu Isaiah Elikwu, the certificate of recognition and staff of office as the Eze Epara Rebisi, the XII and the Paramount Ruler (King) of Port Harcourt”, he said.
BELOW IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE PETITION TO THE EMIR OF DAURA
Re: Fraudulent Claim Of Prince Victor Woluchem As The King Of Port Harcourt And A Prominent Chief Of Ikwerre Nation
On behalf of His Royal Majesty, Eze Barr. Uchechukwu Isaiah Elikwu JP, the Eze Epara Rebisi the XII and paramount ruler (king) of Port Harcourt and the Chiefs and good people of Port Harcourt bring you warm felicitations and greeting to you and members of your great empire.
The attention of the good people of Rebisi Kingdom, in the Port Harcourt City Council has been drawn to the fraudulent representation of Prince Victor Woluchem as the King of Port Harcourt and a prominent chief of Ikwerre nation when they paid a visit to your palace on the occasion of the turbanning of the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as the Dan Daura of Kastina State on the 5th of February, 2022.
We make bold to bring to your notice and knowledge that Prince Victor Woluchem is not a chief, nor the king of Port Harcourt or a prominent chief of Ikwerre nation.
This fact was confirmed by the High Court of Rivers State in its judgement in Suit No. PHC/1818/2013 between Chief Emeka Anyabelem & Ors Vs Prince Victor Woluchem & Ors delivered on the 5th of November, 2021.
It is instructive to note that the High Court of Rivers State in the said judgement declared and confirmed that His Royal Majesty, Eze Barr. Uchechukwu Isaiah Elikwu JP, as the Eze Epara Rebisi, the XII and the Paramount Ruler (king) of Port Harcourt.
Furthermore, the judgment specifically restrained Prince Victor Woluchem from parading himself as the Eze Epara Rebisi and Paramount Ruler (king) of Port Harcourt.
A copy of the said judgement order is herein attached for your perusal.
Moreso, the Rivers State government, to the knowledge of Prince Victor Woluchem, in compliance with the judgement aforestated, formally presented to His Royal Majesty Eze Barr. Uchechukwu Isaiah Elikwu, the certificate of recognition and staff of office as the Eze Epara Rebisi, the XII and the Paramount Ruler (king) of Port Harcourt.
Based on the above therefore, the representation of Prince Victor Woluchem as the king of Port Harcourt and a prominent chief of Ikwerre nation to you is fraudulent, mischievous, preposterous, criminal and contemptuous of the order of the Honourable Court.
We therefore urge you to discountenance, disregard and reject the said representation.
Kindly accept our kind and esteemed assurances.
Signed:
HRH Eze Christopher Wonodi
Eze Mbam Abali XII/Eze Risi
Ohia of Rebisi Kingdom
Port Harcourt
