In Anambra State, a long-standing power tussle in Nnobi community has taken a new turn as the town’s President General, Barrister Dominic Okpala, was remanded in prison by a Magistrate Court in Nnobi.
The court action, which shocked many locals, has been linked to an ongoing rift between Okpala and the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Nick Muodum Obi.
The arrest stems from a contempt charge, but residents believe it runs much deeper than that.
Tensions in Nnobi have been rising for years, and at the center of it is a bitter rivalry between the community’s administrative arm led by the PG and the traditional authority headed by the Igwe.
Many locals say the Igwe, who hails from the Awuda quarter, has made decisions that appear to favor his own section of town, sparking repeated conflicts with both past and present leaders of the town union.
Barrister Okpala was elected as PG in 2021 under the watch of the state government and has tried to work within the constitution recognized by the state.
However, attempts to review and update that constitution, with equal input from Nnobi’s three quarters—Ebenesi, Ngo, and Awuda—were met with resistance, especially from the Igwe and his Awuda allies.
Sources claimed the traditional ruler instructed his people not to participate in the review process, even though the final draft was submitted to the Anambra State government as required.
Things came to a head when the community scheduled its annual general meeting for December 31, 2024.
The Igwe and his group filed for an injunction, but the suit was reportedly not properly served.
The meeting went ahead, and the court sat the same day.
Though the PG was said to have attempted peace moves afterward, the matter was adjourned until April 8, when the Magistrate shockingly ordered his remand in Onitsha prison.
Residents have raised questions about the court’s neutrality, with many pointing out that the Magistrate sat during the Christmas break when courts were expected to be on holiday.
Others have accused the Igwe of manipulating the judiciary and trying to silence opposition through arrests and intimidation.
In Nnobi today, voices are growing louder, calling on the Anambra State Government and the judiciary to step in.
The town is divided, and trust in its institutions is fading fast.
What started as a disagreement over constitutional matters has turned into a full-blown crisis, and many are wondering how long the community can go on like this.
For now, Barrister Okpala remains behind bars, and the battle for Nnobi’s soul continues.