The children of Igwe Ekwueme Odenigbo, the traditional ruler of Akpakume in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, have called on Governor Peter Mbah to facilitate the release of their 86-year-old blind father and brother, Solomon, who are currently held in prison custody in Enugu.
They also issued a “Save-Our-Soul” appeal to Senator Osita Ngwu, representing Enugu West Senatorial Zone and the Chairman of Udi Local Government Council, Engr. Hyginus Agu, regarding the prolonged detention of their father, Igwe Odenigbo, by the Enugu State Police Command.
READ ALSO: Ohanaeze urges Kanu’s release as Tinubu visits Enugu
Igwe Odenigbo and his son Solomon Ekwueme have been held at the Enugu Correctional Service Centre since January 9, 2025, following a petition filed by a prominent member of the community, Mr. Livinus Okolo, also known as Zion.
The family stated: “It is truly heartbreaking for us to be called back to Enugu with the news that our aged and blind father, a retired elder in the Redeemed Christian Church of God and the King of an entire community has been locked up by the Nigerian Police and charged to a Magistrate court and subsequently sent to the Prison at the behest of a man that has been nothing short of a terror to the entire people of Akpakwume community, Mr Livinus Okolom, Alias Zion.”
Community Tensions and Violent Clashes
The children alleged that the conflict began on December 23, 2024, when Mr. Livinus Okolo reportedly stormed their father’s palace with about 20 armed men, attacking their parents and seizing the monarch’s staff of office and other valuables.
Okolo allegedly claimed that Igwe Odenigbo had been dethroned due to involvement in illegal mining and declared himself acting Igwe.
Following this alleged assault, community youths, angered by the incident, retaliated by vandalizing part of Okolo’s residence, the family disclosed.
The family explained that Igwe Odenigbo had reported the attack on his palace to the police on December 24, 2024.
Political Influence and Government Response
However, no action was taken, as Okolo was said to have strong connections, allegedly including support from Governor Mbah and the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Okey Ogbodo.
According to the children, after the youths destroyed Okolo’s house, Okolo filed a petition against the traditional prime minister-elect, Chief Marius Ezeanyanwu, accusing him of instigating the attack, which led to his arrest.
This arrest reportedly angered the youths further, resulting in the complete destruction of Okolo’s house, the family added.
The children recounted that on January 9, 2025, following the arson, the police invited their father and brother for questioning but subsequently detained them.
On January 13, 2025, the two were arraigned before a magistrate court in Enugu North and remanded in prison, where they remain in custody.
Distressed by the condition of their aged father, the children appealed for intervention.
“We the children of HRH, Igwe Ekwueme Odenigbo, Pastor Solomon Ekwueme and Ozioma Roseline Ekwueme sit here today to appeal to the Executive Governor of Enugu State His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah, the Senator representing Enugu West, Distinguished Senator Osita Ngwu, The Executive Chairman of Udi Local Government Area, Engr Hyginus Ogbonnia Agu and well-meaning Nigerians to come to our help and effect the immediate release of our 86-year-old blind father and our younger brother from the Nigerian correctional center Enugu formally known as Prison.
“We are pleading with Governor Peter Mbah to come to our aid and nip this issue in the bud before it becomes worse than it currently is.
“Our father is a sick, 86-year-old blind man with no capacity to inflict hurt on anyone. He has faced all kinds of tribulations in the hands of this same Mr. Livinus Okolo and his cohorts. Our brother is in no way a person of violence and would not engage in the activities he has been accused of.”
In response, Mr. Livinus Okolo denied all allegations, stating that the police and state government had been investigating the matter.
He accused the monarch of inciting the youths to destroy his property and the homes of other community leaders.
State Government’s Stance and Legal Proceedings
Okolo, appointed by the state government to oversee the community’s affairs, claimed that over 14 houses had been destroyed or set ablaze by youths loyal to the monarch, resulting in losses exceeding N30 billion.
He also linked the unrest to the discovery of mineral resources in the community and alleged that the monarch had sold communal land to mining companies without following due process.
The Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Deacon Ogbodo, confirmed that the monarch had been suspended for undermining the state government.
Ogbodo accused Igwe Odenigbo of authorizing a mining company, Eta-Zuma Mining Company, to operate in the community without government approval, further aggravating the crisis.
Ogbodo clarified that some items allegedly taken by Chief Okolo during the December 23 incident, such as the staff of office and certificate of oath,were in the custody of his office.
Crediblenewsng.com
