Traditional ruler, ex-prime minister bicker over alleged forgery  

By Amarachi Ehia, Abakaliki 

The traditional ruler of Ukawu Community Onicha Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Vincent Ajah and a former prime minister of the community, Chief Ezeoghu Elum are exchanging banters over alleged certificate forgery.

While Elum alleged that Ajah forged his first school leaving certificate with which he used and contested the traditional rulership of the community, Ajah through his spokesperson, Prince John Elom said the traditional ruler has all the qualifications needed as the Ezeogo and described Elum as a blackmailer. 

In two different press briefings organized by the parties in Abakaliki, Ezeoghu Elum alleged that the FSL certificate of the king was doctored and did not come from any government or private school.

 Elom on his own argued that Ezeogo Ajah has an authentic certificate from primary to higher institution. That it was Mr. Elum who has fake certificate and said that he has proven of his claims.

Elom said, “We would have ignored the said report but because of those that has been misled by the said publication and since the matter is in the court, we have this to say.

“The traditional stool of Ukawu community is not based on educational qualifications but other criteria which one must pass which include, literacy, nobility, character among others.

“Igwe Vincent Ajah pass all the criteria required for one to become eligible to contents for the kingship of the community.

“The ogenyi 1V HRH Ezeogo Vincent Clinton AJah started his early education at Central School Amankpuma ukawu in Onicha LGA, and obtained his (FSLC) in 1991, He attended government secondary school Afikpo and obtained west African school certificate (WASC) in 1997, his further qualifications include national diploma in Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) in lbadan polytechnic,

“HRH Ajah defeated his opponent with a total vote of 570 against 73 votes garnered by the closest opponent in the election supervised by barr. lkeuwa Omebe,the hon Commissioner for Rural development among others

in November 2023.

“Eze Ajah after fulfilling all the requirements needed was issued a certificate of recognition and staff of office as Ogenyi IV by Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state as the Igwe of Ukawu community.

“One of the contestants Mr Ezoghu Elum who was stripped off his chieftaincy title by the late Ezeogo James Elom, (Ogenyi III) because of his bad behavior doted his certificate but was cleared to contest the Eze ship stool because certificate was not major criteria for the position.

On his part,Ezeoghu Elum said, “This Ezeship tussle in Ukawa started last year and we were five contesting for the same position. we went for screening at Nwalibulo’s compound through the town Union president and the leaders of Amaukuma. The leaders of Ukawa told us things to bring and they asked for our traditional merit.

“At that time, this traditional ruler has not married or done any traditional rite, it was after the screening that those he planned to use to man over the election started using monetary inducement.

“After the screening, they screened some of the contestants out and say that I am qualified to contest but there was a time I took our late traditional ruler to Court and anybody who has done this is not qualified to contest for any positions in our community, but knowing the reason why I took the traditional ruler to Court because If I had allowed him, he would have course communal war in our community.

“It is entirely Amaukuma that took late traditional ruler to court not me alone just that my name was among the three names that represent the community and the Constitution of Ukawa did not say that anybody who is in court over a land dispute, civil issues is not qualified to contest Ezeship 

“Ukawa constitution only said that if you have a criminal matter like forging of certificates, murder case etc, you are not qualified to contest.

After everything, i thought it wise to take him to court knowing fully well that he is not qualified to contest for the Ezeship election, because he doesn’t have credentials to stand for the Ezeship election in our community “Elum said.