Tension is rising in Ekwenu autonomous community, Obolo-Affor, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, over an ongoing dispute concerning the traditional Igwe stool. A community leader and Igweship contestant, Chief Emma Ugwu, has warned of a possible breakdown of law and order if the state government goes ahead with plans to issue a certificate of recognition to a rival contender, Chinwe Eze.
Chief Ugwu, who is also the plaintiff in the court case marked OB/40/2024, alleged that the Enugu State Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs is preparing to violate a valid court order by recognising Eze as Igwe of the community.
In a statement made available to journalists, Ugwu accused top government officials, including Commissioner Deacon Okey Ogbodo and Udenu LGA Chairman Aka Eze Aka, of plotting to present Eze as the community’s traditional ruler despite a court order restraining any action on the matter.
“This would be the third time they are attempting to disobey the court,” Ugwu said. “Chinwe Eze’s motions to cancel the restraining order have been rejected several times by the High Court, and his appeal is still pending.”
Ugwu alleged that traditional rulers were being mobilised to support the move, while the state government is being misled into issuing a certificate of return in defiance of the court. He warned that any action taken before the court decides the case could spark violence in the community.
He appealed to Governor Peter Mbah to intervene urgently and stop what he described as an “abuse of office” and “attempt to drag the governor into contempt of court.”
“We are calling on the governor to uphold the rule of law and stop the commissioner and others from plunging the community into crisis,” he said.
As of the time of this report, neither Commissioner Ogbodo nor the Udenu chairman had responded to the allegations. The matter remains unresolved, with the court yet to give a final ruling on the disputed Igweship.