His Majesty, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, has suspended the president of the prestigious Otu Odu women society, Enyi Florence Osoka, over allegations of insubordination, high-handedness, and a crisis of confidence within the society.
Following a meeting of the Obi-in-Council with the executive committee of Otu Odu Onicha at Ime Obi Onicha, the Obi-in-Council reviewed the implementation of judgments on two cases affecting the society. The council decided to relieve Enyi Florence Osoka of her position with an indefinite suspension due to her alleged disobedience to the council’s directives aimed at resolving ongoing crises.
The Obi imposed a fine of six million naira on the Executive Committee, payable to the Onitsha Development Trust Fund within one week, citing repeated disregard for traditional authority directives. The society was also directed to tender an apology to the Onicha traditional ruling council for their delinquency.
The Obi emphasized that the Executive Committee’s governance style, characterized by heavy fines, long suspensions, and a general atmosphere of fear, was not acceptable. He noted that the committee has consistently ignored rulings signed and delivered by the traditional authority over the past two and a half years.
Igwe Achebe warned that the Executive Committee’s apparent move to make Otu Odu Onicha an independent body outside the traditional authority’s responsibility “cannot be and must come to a halt.”
The suspension of Enyi Florence Osoka is effective immediately and will remain until further notice, aiming to restore discipline and good order within the society.
