Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, has pardoned and reinstated three dethroned traditional rulers in the state in the spirit of the New Year celebration.
The three monarchs were among the 13 traditional rulers suspended for travelling to Abuja with an oil mogul, Arthur Eze, to have an audience with President Muhammadu Buhari without getting approval from the state government.
The state government had in December dethroned three of the monarchs and withdrew their certificates of recognition and lifted suspension on five others.
The reinstated monarchs include Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo of Nawfia, Igwe Anthony Onyekwere of Owelle and Igwe G.B.C. Mbakwe of Abacha.
Those whose suspension were lifted are Igwe Simon Ikechukwu Chidubem of Umumbo, Igwe A.N. Onwuneme of Ikenga, Igwe Mark Anthony Okonkwo of Alor, Igwe Chukwuma Bob Vincent Orji of Ezinifite and Igwe S.O. Uche of Ezira.
However, the state government, in a public service announcement by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Greg Obi, said that in the spirit of the new year, the state governor had pardoned the monarchs.