The Nsukka Democratic Movement (NDM) has studied the letter Ref: MCM/CM/685/14 dated 24th September, 2026 signed by Dr. Charles O. C. Egumgbe, Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, as reported in the media, purporting to suspend HRH Igwe Eze William Ezugwu, Traditional Ruler of Ibagwa Opi Ogbozalla Autonomous Community, Nsukka LGA, Enugu State, the Sahara Reporters phone interview granted by the Commissioner on same matter, and a video evidence of the Town Union leadership of the community.
Having reviewed all against the full text of the Traditional Rulers Law Cap 151, Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004, we declare the suspension void ab initio, factually dishonest and a political retaliation for hosting opposition leaders.
1. THE REAL FACTS THE GOVERNMENT HID
About two months ago, Ibagwa Opi Ogbozalla was attacked by suspected armed kidnappers. Youths were killed, others abducted. Till date, the Government of Enugu State under Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has never visited the community to commiserate with the bereaved, despite boasting in the suspension letter of “huge investment of the State Government in securing lives and properties of Ndi-Enugu.”
If Government is so invested in security, why did it abandon a community that just buried youths killed by kidnappers?
It was opposition figures who came – including Mr. Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and Enugu State governorship candidates of the NDC and African Democratic Congress (ADC) – who visited the palace to mourn with the people.
Under Section 15(b) of Cap 151, a recognized chief has a sacred duty “to receive important visitors to the town or community.” Under 15(d) and 15(j), he must act as custodian of culture and promote stability and peace. Igwe Ezugwu performed his duty. He received mourners when Government failed to come.
About two weeks after that visit, he is suspended for “failure to put cabinet” and “failure to set up Town Union” – offences unknown to Cap 151. Meanwhile, traditional rulers who have openly endorsed Governor Mbah on several occasions enjoy patronage.
The timing is not coincidence. It is persecution.
2. VIDEO EVIDENCE PROVES GOVERNMENT LIED ON TOWN UNION
Ground 2 of the suspension letter alleges: “Failure to encourage the setting up of Town Union Executive thereby running Ibagwa Opi Autonomous Community single handedly.”
We have video of Mr. Ugwu Nnabuike, President General of Ibagwa Opi Town Union, holding his Certificate of Return/Recognition issued earlier by the Government of Enugu State of Nigeria, and enquiries in the community showed that his leadership was inaugurated last month by HRH Igwe Eze William Ezugwu himself.
The Ministry that issued the certificate is the same Ministry now claiming no Town Union exists. The Igwe who inaugurated the Town Union last month is the same Igwe now accused of running the community single-handedly.
This is self-contradiction and estoppel. Government cannot issue a certificate of return earlier, watch Igwe inaugurate the Town Union last month, and then claim this month there is no Town Union. It proves the letter was written without investigation, and that the Government knew the allegation was false when it wrote it.
3. WHAT MAKE THE SUSPENSION VOID
a) Commissioner Usurped Governor’s Power – Section 10 Violated:
Section 10 of Cap 151 says: “The Governor may suspend or withdraw recognition…” The satisfaction must be that of the Governor under 10(a) – breach of code of conduct, or 10(b) – peace, order and good government.
The letter says: “in the exercise of the powers conferred on me as the Hon. Commissioner pursuant to sections 10(a) and 10(b)… you are hereby suspended.”
In Sahara Reporters, Dr. Egumgbe said: “I am a no-nonsense person… I called him… I told him… I have a PhD in law… I am founding chairman of PDP 1998/99.”
A PhD in Law should know Section 10 power belongs to Governor, not to a no-nonsense Commissioner. Section 16 gives Commissioner power to hold enquiry and advise Governor. He cannot advise himself and suspend. The letter does not say Governor directed or approved. No Gazette under Section 8 is shown. It is ultra vires.
b) No Mandatory Administrative Enquiry – Section 16 Violated, Fair Hearing Denied:
The letter accuses Igwe of grave misconduct – intimidation, harassment, arrest of subjects, malfeasance, selling market, locking people up with police.
Section 16(1) is mandatory: “Notwithstanding Section 10, whenever there are allegations of grave misconduct, the Commissioner SHALL cause an administrative enquiry to be held.”
The Commissioner told Sahara Reporters: “I called him – if you look at the letter I invited him and he came two weeks ago and I told him, look at what your people are saying…”
Two weeks ago is exactly when Peter Obi visited and when Town Union had been inaugurated. A private office meeting is not an administrative enquiry. No panel sat in Ibagwa Opi, no community was heard, no report, no finding that he ceased to enjoy popular support under Section 16(2). “My personal interventions and admonitious” cited in the letter is not an enquiry known to law. This violates Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
c) Market Selling and Police Oppression Require Proof, Not Media Interview:
Commissioner told Sahara Reporters: “there’s no money in this traditional rulership, they’re selling market” and “That one doesn’t allow Town Union to operate, he oppresses everybody, if you just say anything he oppresses with police.”
If true, these are serious financial and criminal allegations that must be proved through enquiry under Section 16, not through a phone interview. Did he sell market? Who bought? How much? Which police station? Without enquiry, it is hearsay.
He also said: “We don’t have monarchy in Enugu State and South East in general.” If we don’t have monarchy, why suspend a monarch under Traditional Rulers Law? And if Igwe is a father, as he also said, a father deserves fair hearing.
d) Section 15 Is Not An Offence Section:
Government cited Section 15(d)(e)(f)(g)(h)(i)(j)(n) – functions: custodian of culture, maintain law and order, reconcile parties, cooperate with Local Government, stimulate development, collect levies, promote peace, perform ofala.
Section 15 creates duties, not offences. Penalties are in Sections 18, 19, 20, 22. Hosting mourners after killings is performance of Section 15(b), (d) and (j), not breach. How can receiving Peter Obi and opposition Governorship candidates be inconsistent with receiving important visitors?
e) Code of Conduct, Cabinet – Section 12, 13, 14 Misapplied:
Under Section 12(1), community forwards constitution and code of conduct signed by Igwe to Secretary to Local Government. Under Section 13(4), Commissioner has custody of all constitutions. Under Section 14(2), failure to subscribe within 6 months may lead to suspension, within 1 year SHALL lead to withdrawal.
Ibagwa Opi was created 4 years ago. If after 4 years there is no code, that is failure of Ministry that created autonomy. Government slept for 4 years, woke up two weeks after Peter Obi and others visited.
Where in Cap 151 is “cabinet” mentioned? Nowhere. It is alien to the law. If it is in community constitution, produce the constitution you say does not exist.
f) Political Discrimination – Sections 39, 40, 42 Constitution:
A traditional ruler does not surrender his constitutional rights. Under Sections 39, 40, 42 CFRN, he is free to receive any Nigerian – be he or she in NDC, ADC, PDP, APC, AAC, PRP, or any other political party. Indirectly punishing him for hosting opposition while monarchs who endorsed Governor Mbah remain untouched is discriminatory.
The Commissioner’s defence – “Peter Obi, his sister is married in Igbo Etiti, does he not go to that place? Have they been sacked? Is that man the only person Peter Obi has seen?” – proves our point. Peter Obi visits many places. Only the traditional ruler of a traumatized community Government never visited is suspended. If another ruler in Mmaku was only warned for similar conduct, as Commissioner said, why is Ibagwa Opi suspended? Selective enforcement is mala fide.
4. THE QUESTION ENUGU STATE MUST ANSWER
Why is Government that never visited Ibagwa Opi after armed kidnappers killed youths and abducted others, suddenly concerned about “avoidable crisis” and “huge investment in securing lives and properties” in the same community?
If you are concerned about security, visit the victims. Don’t suspend the traditional ruler who received those who visited.
Why issue Certificate of Return to a Town Union PG earlier, watch Igwe inaugurate him last month, and then suspend Igwe this month for not having a Town Union?
Why call Igwe to your office two weeks ago – same time Peter Obi visited – tell Sahara Reporters he said he may resign because “there’s no money”, and then suspend him for intimidation?
5. OUR DEMANDS:
Immediate withdrawal of void letter MCM/CM/685/14 as HRH Igwe Eze William Ezugwu remains the traditional ruler of Ibagwa Opi Ogbozalla until lawful action by the Governor after due process.
Government should visit Ibagwa Opi, commiserate with families of those killed and abducted, and secure the community as claimed.
If genuine complaints exist, order a proper Section 16 administrative enquiry to be held openly in Ibagwa Opi, with community present, with fair hearing, and let law, not politics, decide.
Stop weaponizing Cap 151 to enforce political endorsement. The stool of Ibagwa Opi is not an extension of Government House.
6. WARNING:
Nsukka Democratic Movement will not watch chieftaincy law turned into political whip against Nsukka land. If this void suspension is not reversed within 7 days, we shall mobilize people of Ibagwa Opi, Nsukka cultural zone and all lovers of justice to defend their traditional institution through all lawful means – including court action under Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure, petition to National Council of Traditional Rulers, and peaceful civic engagement.
The Traditional Rulers Law was made to preserve custom, not to punish a rulers for performing custom and receiving mourners Government abandoned.
