The Paramount Ruler of Elimgbu Community in Obio Akpo local Government Area of Rivers State, HRH (Bar.) Emmanuel Iheanyi Utchay, Eze Rugwu 111, has debunked rumours of an alleged hostage situation at his Palace.
Speaking to Africa Update today via telephone, following a news article published by our correspondent yesterday alleging the invasion of the Palace by thugs, who reportedly held his step mother and other siblings hostage, His Highness said nothing of the sort happened.
The Monarch disclosed that contrary to what is making the rounds on social media and being published on newspapers, precisely two days ago, (Friday night) at about 8pm, Police officers chased his younger brother, Hope into the Palace.
According to the Monarch, the policemen reportedly gave Hope a thorough beating before he was dragged away with two others including his nephew.
He said the action of the policemen caused a lot of Tension in the community. Noting that the gate was locked as a security measure to avoid unnecessary panic and invasion of the Palace, considering that it was already late in the night. More so, the place gates were always locked at night and reopened in the morning.
But due to the incident that occurred the night before, the gateman opened only the pedestrian gate to allow people move in and out of the Palace.
The Monarch stressed that he is not on talking terms with his stepmother, and does not know why she is fabricating the story against him. “She has bad mind for me. We are in court because of my father’s will. Just that I don’t want to say anything about the court matter,” he said.
His words: ” We are in Court, so how can I talk to her? Only one kitchen against six kitchens of my father. Only one kitchen is disturbing me and I don’t know why she is disturbing me.
“I am a lawyer of 38, almost 39 years at the Bar. I was called to Bar in 1985. I don’t cause trouble. I don’t know what she said I did to her. Just false allegations!.”
When Africa Update asked about the boys who were seen hanging around the Palace in the early hours of yesterday July 29, at the time of the Visit, He said “The boys came to sympathize with us, because Hope was detained. They came to ask what happened.
“The boys are our village People. Do they look like thugs or something as you people alleged? I don’t do thuggery. So I don’t know .
“I’m the Eze of the Community, so when something happens in the Palace, the whole community will come to enquire what is happening.
“I didn’t fight anybody. Did they kill anybody? Are they holding sticks or any weapons? How can they say that my Community people are thugs? They always use the word thugs ! Thugs!!. Did they beat them? Did anybody touch them or insult them?
“I don’t understand what they mean. They always want to curry favour from the public. I have CCTV footage of what happened in the Palace which I will send to you. You can watch it and see what happened”.
Eze Utchay reiterated that they are disobeying the orders of the court by engaging in violence and falsehood. He said contrary to what his stepmother is saying, her son Vincent Chioma who is his late father’s 10th son, had dragged 16 of them, including him ( Eze Utchay) to the police station.
He said the Police Headquarters has invited them to Abuja on Wednesday, August 2. While a team of policemen visited the Palace yesterday and were surprised to find a serene atmosphere.
Stating further that his lawyer is aware of the happenings and despite their provocative behaviour, he has decided to remain calm because they are all his subjects and family.
CCTV footage from the Palace:
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