BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

ONITSHA — It was jubilation galore at Mbosi community in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State,  weekend, when peace allegedly returned to the area sequel to the emergence of Prince Okey-Joe Onuakalusi as regent of the community.

It would be recalled that his emergence which became a consent judgment at an Ihiala High Court presided over by Hon. Justice B. A. Ogbuli, sent the people jubilating after about 16 years of crisis.

Prince Onuakalusi, a legal practitioner and son of late traditional ruler of the community, had dragged 12 persons representing Oluoha/Mbosi Traditional Council led by their Traditional Prime Minister (Onowu), Chief C. A. Ezike to the court.

Among the reliefs sought by Prince Onuakalusi included a declaration that the said council does not exist in the community, an order for perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents and privies from further planning, implementing or taking actions towards  the performance of the last ofala (burial) rites of the late monarch, his father, as well as N10 million as damages against the defendants.

After seeking for these reliefs, both counsel to the plaintiff and defendants, J.R. Nduka and Arthur Obi Okafor (SAN) respectively met on behalf of their clients and agreed upon amicable settlement that was accepted by the court as a consent judgement.

In their various remarks while expressing satisfaction that peace has eventually returned, the former President General, Engr Chukwudum Onyimadu and Chief Reuben Ozurumba recalled that the crisis started in 1998 when the late monarch was alive.