It was a sombre mood in Idumuje-Ugboko Community in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State as the queen mother, Okwukwe Nwoko revealed that she was sent away from the palace two years ago over allegation of having an affair.
Okwukwe accused the crown prince and his loyalists of sending her out of the palace in order to achieve his desire of succeeding the 90-year old monarch.
She also threatened to sue people involved in order to reclaim her position in the palace.
The monarch, Obi Agbogidi Nwoko III, reportedly married four wives but divorced two while one is dead, leaving Okwukwe as the only recognised wife staying with him before the development.
The 37-year-old told newsmen in a report that she was unjustly accused of infidelity and sent out of the palace with 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.
The queen mother 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.
She added that her accusers, working on speculations, refused and drove her out despite the unproven case of infidelity.
The Queen claimed that while the matter was being addressed, she was stopped from entering the palace.
According to her, she lived peacefully with the monarch before the incident. She stated that the pregnancy she was accused of getting through infidelity produced a baby who is now about three years old.
The 37-year-old Queen also claimed the baby had neither been seen nor touched by her father since her birth.
Okwukwe pleaded with 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.
When the Iyase of Idumuje-Ugboko, Chief Chris Ogwu was contacted about the issue, he said the Obi-in-Council had yet to address the issue, he included that the traditional ruler was not happy with the expulsion of his wife from the palace.
Efforts to speak with the Monarch or the crowned prince proofed abortive.
However, a member of the royal family, who identified himself as Prince Obi Nwoko, alleging that Okwukwe committed infidelity and sent out of the palace by the royal family according to tradition.