A community leader in Ebonyi State, Kalu Ama Mba, has been banished by the traditional rulers of Ekoli, Edda Local Government Area of the State for 10 years.
NATIONAL POST learnt that the monarchs also imposed N300 million and a local cow as fines against Mba.
A statement issued to this effect said the decision was taken during an emergency meeting to review the ongoing killings and destruction of properties in the community by warring factions in the area.
The crisis in the community has escalated with the killing of one Udu Nnachi Uzor on Wednesday this week, with properties destroyed.
His wife, Onyinye, a two-month-old nursing mother, who witnessed the incident, alleged that a political group in the community, known as ‘Catcham boys’, numbering about 20, masterminded the killing.
She further alleged that the thugs were accompanied and aided by soldiers and police who stormed their house at about midday and asked about her husband.
"They moved straight into the room and shot him dead. He was shot by one of the Catcham members known as 'Deri'", the woman claimed.
The traditional rulers, in a statement after their emergency meeting on the crisis, banished the town union president of the community.
The statement, which was signed by the Chairman, Ekoli Edda traditional council, HRH Etta Egor Akanu, HRH Peter Ibeze, HRH Dick Ibiam Ama, HRH, Egbeke Idika and Chief Thomas Ama, alleged that many people have been killed in the community by the Catcham boys, who they said had the support of the town union president.
The monarchs called for the removal of Mba as the town union president of the community, saying that the community had been in crisis since he emerged the town union president.
They declared Mba banished for 10 years and that he must pay N300 million as general damages in the crisis.
The traditional rulers also ruled that the town union president must present a local cow for cleansing and atonement of the community after the 10 years banishment.