Friday, October 2, 2026 - Tens of indigenes of Agunese Mmaku Autonomous Community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State have protested at the Government House, Enugu, demanding Governor Peter Mbah’s intervention over alleged intimidation, harassment and abuse of office by their traditional ruler, HRH Cyprian Maduabuchi Nevobasi.
The protesters marched from Okpara Square to the Ministry of
Chieftaincy Affairs before proceeding to the Government House, where they
demanded the suspension of the monarch pending an investigation into the
allegations.
The protesters accused Nevobasi of interfering in town union
affairs, frustrating electoral processes and using his influence to intimidate
or cause the arrest of community members.
The allegations were contained in a September 23, 2026
petition signed by the community’s Legal Adviser, Vincent Okafor, and submitted
to the governor.
The allegations have not been independently verified, while
the traditional ruler was not available for comment at the time of filing this
report.
The protesters alleged that the crisis surrounding the
traditional stool had persisted for more than two decades, resulting in deaths
and prolonged disputes in the community.
“Since Cyprian Maduabuchi Nevobasi forced himself on the
throne of our community, over two decades ago, the community has known no
peace,” the petition stated.
The community alleged that two people, including late Chief
Festus Akpu and a minor, Chidiebere Ogbonna, died in incidents connected to the
crisis.
It further claimed that the incidents were reported to the
police but were not satisfactorily resolved.
The protesters said the crisis intensified in 2021 when 16
young indigenes formed the Agunese Way Forward Initiative to address what they
described as longstanding problems in the community.
According to the petition, the group raised N6m to support
the emergence of a new town union executive.
The protesters alleged that after the group’s activities
became public, a voice note purportedly from the palace circulated in which
Nevobasi allegedly threatened its members.
They further alleged that a town union election scheduled
for December 30, 2021, was disrupted by the traditional ruler.
The petition claimed that subsequent petitions were written
against some community members, accusing them of links with unknown gunmen, the
Eastern Security Network and the Indigenous People of Biafra.
The community alleged that several indigenes were
subsequently arrested and detained for prolonged periods.
It cited the cases of Engineer Theophilus Chukwu, Okafor,
musician David Okeke, Emmanuel Uwa Okeke and Ifeanyi Christopher Okeke.
“Currently, sir, Chief Ifeanyi Christopher Okeke has been
languishing in the Enugu prison since the 30th day of November 2025 on
allegation of murder that never happened,” the petition stated.
The community alleged that the case was connected to his
relationship with another indigene.
The protesters said the latest crisis occurred on September
18, 2026, when an election was scheduled to elect a new town union executive.
They alleged that the incumbent President-General, Chief
Simeon Okike; Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Euzebus Okolo; and
Secretary, Richard Ukekwe, were abducted and taken to an unknown location.
The protesters further alleged that a voice note circulating
on community WhatsApp platforms indicated that the abduction was intended to
prevent the election from taking place.
They said plans were subsequently made to constitute a
caretaker committee.
“This ugly event is the second time that Cyprian Maduabuchi
Nevobasi is truncating a peaceful democratic process in our community,” the
petition stated.
The protesters also questioned the traditional ruler’s
alleged residency in South Africa, arguing that it was inconsistent with what
they described as the requirements of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Law.
They called for the release of community members they said
remained in detention and urged the government to ensure that due process was
followed in all cases.
“Where any person is suspected of a crime, the appropriate
constitutional and legal procedure is investigation, charge where sufficient
evidence exists, and trial before a competent court—not indefinite detention,”
the petition stated.
The protesters demanded the immediate suspension of Nevobasi
to allow an independent investigation into the allegations.
“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.
Placards displayed during the protest included, “Due Process
Not Intimidation,” “Suspend the IGWE Pending Investigation,” “Justice, Due
Process for Agunese” and “Save Our Soul.”
Addressing journalists, Okafor and the outgoing community
chairman, Chief Nathaniel Mgbudike, reiterated the allegations and urged the
governor to intervene before the crisis escalated.
The protesters said their demands were aimed at restoring
peace and confidence in the traditional and community leadership structures.
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