Enugu Community Protests, Demands Suspension of Traditional Ruler Over Alleged Harassment

Tens of indigenes of Agunese Mmaku Autonomous Community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State have protested at the Enugu State Government House, demanding Governor Peter Mbah's intervention in a longstanding dispute involving their traditional ruler, HRH Cyprian Maduabuchi Nevobasi.

The protesters accused the monarch of intimidation, harassment, interference in town-union affairs and alleged abuse of office. They called for his suspension pending an investigation into their allegations.

The protesters marched from Okpara Square to the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs before proceeding to the Government House, where they submitted their demands.

The allegations were contained in a petition dated September 23, 2026, signed by the community's Legal Adviser, Vincent Okafor, and addressed to Governor Mbah.

According to the petition, the community's dispute over its traditional leadership and town-union affairs has persisted for more than two decades. The protesters alleged that the crisis had contributed to prolonged divisions and violence within the community.

They accused Nevobasi of interfering in town-union affairs and frustrating attempts to conduct elections. They also alleged that some community members were subjected to intimidation and arrest after disagreements with the traditional leadership.

The petition referenced the deaths of two people, including Chief Festus Akpu and a minor identified as Chidiebere Ogbonna, which the protesters linked to the broader community crisis. These claims have not been independently established in the latest reports.

The protesters also referred to events surrounding a town-union election scheduled for December 30, 2021. They alleged that the process was disrupted and that subsequent petitions were made against some community members, accusing them of links to unknown gunmen, the Eastern Security Network and the Indigenous People of Biafra.

Similar allegations were publicly raised by some Agunese Mmaku residents in 2022. At the time, Nevobasi denied the accusations and, through a representative, said petitions to security agencies concerned people he alleged had disrupted the town-union election.

The latest petition also referenced several community members whom the protesters said had been arrested or remained in detention. Among those mentioned were Engineer Theophilus Chukwu, Vincent Okafor, musician David Okeke, Emmanuel Uwa Okeke and Ifeanyi Christopher Okeke.

The protesters alleged that Christopher Okeke had remained in custody since November 30, 2025, in connection with a murder allegation which they disputed.

They also alleged that the latest crisis occurred on September 18, 2026, when another town-union election was scheduled to take place.

According to the petition, the incumbent President-General, Chief Simeon Okike; Electoral Committee Chairman Euzebus Okolo; and Secretary Richard Ukekwe were allegedly abducted and taken to an unknown location.

The protesters further alleged that a voice note circulating on community WhatsApp platforms suggested that the abduction was intended to prevent the election from going ahead.

The community said plans were subsequently made to constitute a caretaker committee, describing the development as another disruption of its town-union electoral process.

The town-union dispute has also been the subject of separate legal proceedings. Earlier reports indicated that an Awgu Magistrate Court issued an interim injunction in August 2026 in a case concerning the proposed election and alleged violations of the community's constitutional arrangements.

The protesters further questioned Nevobasi's reported residence in South Africa, arguing that his alleged absence from the community was inconsistent with requirements they attributed to the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Law.

They called on the state government to investigate their allegations, ensure due process in cases involving community members and address what they described as prolonged detention.

The protesters ultimately asked Governor Mbah to suspend the traditional ruler while an investigation is conducted.

“We humbly urge you, sir, to come to the aid of my town, Agunese Mmaku Autonomous Community, by suspending the Igwe to allow for an investigation into all of our complaints to determine his guilt or absolution to avert possible bloodshed,” the petition stated.

The allegations made by the protesters remain claims pending investigation or determination by the relevant authorities.