A crisis is brewing in Enugu-Agu Achi Autonomous Community, Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, as some indigenes have accused their traditional ruler, HRH Igwe Godwin Ndubueze Madu, of forging a former governor’s signature to secure recognition and of ruling the community with tyranny.
In a petition addressed to Governor Peter Mbah, the aggrieved members of the Enugu community, alleged that they were excluded from the selection process that produced the monarch, insisting he was imposed on them.
They further claimed that the police are already investigating the authenticity of a Certificate of Recognition allegedly bearing the forged signature of former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani.
One of the leaders of the opposition group, Mr. Ezedozie Ugochukwu, submitted documents to the Special Enquiry Bureau at the police headquarters, Abuja, insisting that the certificate in Igwe Madu’s possession is fake.
“The signature on the Certificate of Recognition by the above-mentioned suspect purported to be Dr. Chimaroke O. Nnamani’s signature is forged. Please see attached the real signature of the then Governor and the forged signature marked 1,” Ugochukwu wrote.
The petitioners also appealed directly to Governor Mbah to intervene, alleging that the monarch has subjected them to intimidation, illegal detentions, and forceful land acquisitions. They accused him of appropriating the community’s quarry to himself and his allies without rendering any account to the people.
“Over the years, this so-called traditional ruler and his collaborators have unleashed a reign of terror on innocent indigenes. Those who dared to ask questions have had bitter stories to tell,” the petition read.
The community members argued that at no time did Enugu State Government issue Igwe Madu a staff of office as required by law. Instead, they alleged, he has relied on the disputed certificate to assert authority over the community. They are calling for a new ruler “acceptable to the people, and with no criminal record.”
But responding on behalf of the monarch, a member of his cabinet, Nze Theo Onyebueke, dismissed the allegations as baseless and already investigated by the relevant authorities.
“The police have done their investigations, the ministry of chieftaincy has equally done its investigation. The police came from Abuja to our community, we discussed, and they wrote their report,” Onyebueke said.
“It’s true that Chimaroke (former Governor Nnamani) had an initial problem with him, but he later signed the certificate of return. In fact, he did not contest the stool with anybody because I’m a member of Mbaorgu Igwe-in-Council. If they are talking about forgery, they can go ahead and write. The matter has been investigated. Nothing was forged.”
The petition and counterclaims have heightened tension in Enugu-Agu Achi, with many awaiting the outcome of the ongoing investigations and possible government intervention to resolve the leadership dispute.
