The Ezi community in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State yesterday ex-communicated the entire Nyansi Ogbue family because one of its sons, Jideofor Ogbue, reportedly participated in the kidnap of Prof. Kanene Okonjo, mother of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
The octogenarian was abducted by a gang of kidnappers numbering about 10, at the palace of her husband, the traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area, Obi (Prof.) Chukwuka Okonjo. Jideofor was a member of the kidnap syndicate, who was arrested in connection with the abduction of the minister's mother.
Announcing the banishment of the family, Obi Mohanyem I, the Obi of Ezi Kingdom, said the sanction was the outcome of a meeting of the Obi and the Obi-in-Council, adding that it was targeted at excommunicating the entire family of Ogbue from the community for Jideofor's role in the abduction.
The monarch said Jideofor's action damaged the reputation of the community, adding that the decision was to demonstrate to the entire world that the suspect had done what was unacceptable to the community.
According to the monarch, the action was meant to serve as deterrent to intending criminals.
He said: "The family henceforth would have nothing to do with the community any longer just as the community has nothing to do with the family in return. "It is unbelievable that the parents could not control or monitor their children at 22 years, not questioning his source of wealth at 22 to the extent that he is building houses for the parents, buying cars for the brothers when he is not a graduate or a successful businessman and the mother became an envy to other families in the community.
"The decision became important owing to the increasing cases of crimes among the youth in the community, especially kidnapping and robbery.
To tame crime, communities must wake up to their responsibilities to tackle it from the base, it has become dehumanising and a threat to everybody. "The family has lost any entitlement in the community and ex-communicated totally.
Any family that indulges in such ignoble act would face the same sanction. The town crier would carry the message to the entire community to show how serious the Obi-in- Council takes the matter. "When the matter happened, I received over 30 calls from Nigerians from within and outside the country asking me if Jideofor is actually from Ezi community. It is totally unacceptable and I am not happy about it."