TROUBLE is brewing for 90-year old traditional monarch Obi Agbogidi Nwoko III of Idumuje-Ugboko Community in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State after his 37-year old wife was sent  packing from the royal palace for alleged infidelity.  

In a first such has of its kind, Obi Nwoko has sent his queen Okwukwe Nwoko, away from the palace and she is now threatening legal action to reclaim her place. Local residents were only made award of the matter over the weekend after the queen claimed that the crown prince and his loyalists sent her out of the palace so he could achieve his desire of succeeding the 90-year old monarch. 

Obi Nwoko, reportedly married four wives but divorced two while one has passed away, leaving Queen Okwukwe as the only recognised wife staying with him. Queen Okwukwe, 37, said she was unjustly accused of infidelity and sent out of the palace with a seven-month-old pregnancy belonging to the monarch.

She said trouble started after a failed plan to reconcile one of the Obi’s former wives with the palace and some persons vowed that no wife of the Obi would remain in the palace since the move failed. Queen Nwoko claimed that when she was accused of infidelity, she agreed to a DNA test or be allowed to take the traditional oath to prove her innocence.

However, her accusers refused the offer and drove her out despite the unproven case of infidelity, despite the fact that she lived peacefully with the monarch before the incident. Queen Okwukwe claimed that while the matter was being addressed, she was stopped from entering the palace.

She stated that the pregnancy she was accused of getting through infidelity produced a baby who is now about three years old. Queen Okwukwe also said the baby had neither been seen nor touched by her father since her birth.

Queen Okwukwe appealed to the obi-in-council, opinion leaders and the royal family to intervene in the matter, adding that she wants to go back to the palace and take care of her husband. Chief Chris Ogwu, the Iyase of Idumuje-Ugboko, said the obi-in-council had yet to address the issue, noting that the traditional ruler was not happy with the expulsion of his wife from the palace. 

However, one member of the royal family, who identified himself as Prince Obi Nwoko, alleging that Queen Okwukwe committed infidelity and sent out of the palace by the royal family according to tradition. It is not yet clear if the matter will be resolved internally or end up in court yet.