Family of Detained 86-Year-Old Blind Monarch Beg Governor Mbah for Justice
The children of Igwe Ekwueme Odenigbo, the traditional ruler of Akpakume in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, have appealed to Governor Peter Mbah to intervene in the detention of their 86-year-old blind father and their brother, Solomon, held at the Enugu Correctional Service since January 9, 2025.
They also directed a “Save-Our-Soul” plea to Senator Osita Ngwu, representing Enugu West Senatorial Zone, and the Udi Local Government Chairman, Engr. Hyginus Agu, regarding the continued incarceration of their father.
Igwe Odenigbo and his son were detained following a petition by a prominent community member, Mr. Livinus Okolo, also known as Zion. According to the monarch’s children, the trouble began on December 23, 2024, when Okolo allegedly stormed their father’s palace with about 20 armed men, assaulted their parents, and confiscated the monarch’s staff of office and other valuables.
Okolo reportedly claimed that the monarch had been dethroned over alleged involvement in illegal mining, declaring himself the acting Igwe. The attack on the palace allegedly prompted irate youths to damage parts of Okolo’s house.
The monarch’s children claim their father had petitioned the police over the palace attack on December 24, but no arrests were made, as Okolo allegedly had strong connections with the state government.
The tension escalated when youths in the community burned down Okolo’s house, following the arrest of another community leader, Chief Marius Ezeanyanwu, accused by Okolo of inciting the destruction of his property.
Subsequently, Igwe Odenigbo and his son Solomon were invited for questioning by the police on January 9, 2025, but were detained and later remanded in prison custody after a January 13 court ruling.
Read also: Nigerian Children Turn to Refuse Dumps Amid Rising Poverty
The monarch’s children expressed concern over their father’s health and sought the intervention of the governor and other stakeholders.
“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,” they said.
When contacted, Okolo denied the allegations, accusing the monarch of instigating the arson that destroyed over 14 houses and caused losses exceeding N30 billion. He also alleged the monarch had sold community land for mining without government approval.
Deacon Ogbodo, the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, supported Okolo’s claims, accusing Igwe Odenigbo of undermining the government by authorizing mining operations without consent. He added that the monarch’s certificate of oath and staff of office were in the ministry’s custody.
The family and community members now await the government’s response as they call for justice and the release of their blind patriarch.
