RAYMOND OZOJI reports
Following Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo's marching order that traditional rulers and presidents-general of communities in Anambra State should have a comprehensive documentation of all the native doctors and traditional medicine practitioners in their respective domains inorder to fish out the bad eggs aiding insecurity in the state, the traditional ruler of Ojoto ancient kingdom in Idemili-South Local Government Area of Anambra State His Royal Highness Igwe Gerald Obunadike Mbamalu has declared that native doctors and traditional medicine practitioners in his community are not only duly registered and certified by the throne but are also operating without fear or Intimidations.
Mbamalu who responded to what he saw as a malicious newspaper publication claiming that there is turmoil in Ojoto community as police allegedly clamped down on some native doctors performing fake ritual cleansing of the community at strategic locations, told HEADLINE NEWS that such information was misleading and intended to cause confusion and rancour in the community.
Mbamalu explained that one Anthony Uzokwe had lied to the police in the petition he filed to Zone 13 police zonal headquarters Ukpo where he claimed that he was being impersonated as the chief custodian of custom and tradition in Ojoto and to that extent masterminded the arrest of one of the native doctors who performed Ikpu Iyi rituals on 6th January this year even as he ensured that the latter was granted bail and the said Anthony Uzokwe disappeared into the air as he hadn't the temerity to appear before the police to prove his claims beyond reasonable doubts.
He said Anthony Uzokwe has for over a decade continued to ascribe to himself the head of Umu Dibia and Otu Omenani Ojoto which he is definitely not, emphasizing that as the traditional ruler of the land, he Igwe Gerald Obunadike Mbamalu is the chief custodian of the customs and traditions of Ojoto land and has the power and authority to certify those involved in traditional medicine practice in the community to avoid incidences of quacks and fake practitioners.
According to Igwe Mbamalu, the traditional medicine men had approached him, saying that they wanted to perform ritual cleansing of the land ( Ikpu Iyi) which he endorsed; so long as it doesn't infringe on other people's rights. He said that the native doctors gave three days notice before embarking on the rituals which aimed at cleansing Ojoto land from all malignant forces and malevolent tendencies.
Judging from the video of the Ikpu Iyi rituals sent to HEADLINE NEWS by the traditional ruler, the rituals were done at Afor-Ojoto, Mmili-John, Odudu-Umuokpu, Oye-Ojoto, St. Paul's junction, St. Patrick's junction and other strategic locations in Ojoto community. The rituals were intended to spiritually address issues of those masterminding armed robbery, Kidnappings and other heinous crimes in Ojoto.
The rituals also aim to solve the problems of people bringing thieves into the community as well as providing information to kidnappers to unleash terror and mayhem on the community. The rituals were equally intended to invoke karma on people whose stock-in-trade is to bear false witnesses against other people amongst other very salient issues the ritual cleansing were supposed to address in Ojoto community.
Igwe Gerald Obunadike Mbamalu and the president-general High Chief Ernest Obunadike who jointly signed a statement refuting the false claims of turmoil and unrest in Ojoto community said, "We, the Ojoto Traditional Council, are compelled to address the gross misinformation circulating about turmoil in our community. We categorically deny these false allegations and reaffirm the peace and harmony prevailing in Ojoto.
As the Eze Ojoto, I, Igwe Gerald Obunadike Mbamalu, wish to clarify that the native doctors and traditional medicine practitioners in our community are operating without fear or intimidation. In fact, as the traditional ruler, I have the statutory duty to certify these practitioners, ensuring they meet the necessary standards and guidelines set by the government.
Recent rituals performed on January 6th, led by Chief Obiora Obidiwe and Chief Ejike Mokwe, were conducted with the full consent and approval of the Ojoto government and my office. These rituals were successfully executed in all designated areas, reaffirming our community's commitment to tradition and heritage.
For the avoidance of doubt, we confirm that Chief Ejike Mokwe is the authentic Chairman of Otu Omenana Umu Dibia Ojoto, duly recognized and certified by our administration. Similarly, Chief Obiora Obidiwe has my authority to head the cleansing rituals as the recognized head of the deity Okwu Ani Ojoto.
We are aware of a petition filed by one Anthony Uzokwe, alleging impersonation. However, after thorough investigation by the police, it was confirmed that Mr. Uzokwe holds no government-approved position that can be impersonated. Chiefs Obiora Obidiwe and Ejike Mokwe are duly recognized and approved by our administration.
We urge the public to disregard the false information and rest assured that Ojoto remains a peaceful and harmonious community."
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