The Paramount ruler of Ogale community and the Oneh-Eh Nchia X in Eleme, Eleme LGA of Rivers State, His Royal Highness, King Sir Godwin Bebe-Okpabi has celebrated his freedom after overcoming a court’s bench warrant following a tussle over his throne.
The king said he triumphed at last after being under the court warrant that sought to commit him to prison over an alleged contempt.
He said the court following a successful motion vacated the bench warrant setting him free from the charges.
The ceremony, tagged ‘Sacrifice of Praise and Worship To The Almighty God’, was attended by major stakeholders in Elem.
The king said the thanksgiving service was in fulfillment of his vow to God during a trying period when he said an impostor tried to take over his right.
The king said: “I just survived a high level conspiracy that tried to scuttle my stool and to embarrass me, to keep me away from my kingdom and comfort zone. It is a long story of somebody who has for over 10 years been trying to impersonate titles, he wants to borrow any title he can wear, if he cannot borrow it, then, he would snatch it.
“If he cannot snatch it, he would try to create one, by the grace of God, our people went through the tradition and selected me as the Oneh-Eh Ogale, in 2020.
“The district stool of Nchia became vacant and was to be contested for among the six traditional rulers within the district. I was selected, installed and my name forwarded to government for recognition, which was done.
“Again, this individual, who was not eligible, started his covetousness. He managed to get a court order against me to drag me out of my stool.
“But no one can take away from you what God has given to you no matter the way the scenario is painted, the connection, the inducement and manipulative tendencies, god will vindicate you, He is the maker of kings”.
He said the matter went to the Court of Appeal where he was optimistic that justice would prevail.
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He said: “The judiciary will soon know the impostor, the media and public already know him, it would soon be exposed that he is not even a chief but an impostor, who wants to manipulate the system to be called a king. He is a commercial chief, only in the media and companies”.
Also speaking, a former CTC chairman of Eleme LGA, Prince Awalanta Ejire and former Ambassador to the Netherlands Amb. Oji Ngofa, said they came to felicitate and rejoice with the king over what the lord had done for him and the people of Nchia.
Ngofa said: “We should always find a way to sit down and build peace, it is better for the development and growth of our people instead of looking for a way to witch-hunt and fight people because of chieftaincy disagreements”.
All chiefs and members of the Council of Chiefs of the district, were part of the service and reception in solidarity with King Bebe-Okpabi.lll.