The family of Igwe Ekwueme Odenigbo, the traditional ruler of Akpakume Ancient Kingdom in Enugu State, has expressed outrage over the arrest and detention of their 86-year-old blind father and his caregiver, Moses Izuchukwu, by the Nigerian Police Force on what they describe as “trumped-up charges.”
According to the family, the monarch and his 33-year-old caregiver have been held in prison custody for over a week based on holding charges filed by the Enugu State Police Command.
The police accused Igwe Odenigbo and Izuchukwu of arson, promoting local war, assaulting police officers on lawful duty, and malicious damage to property valued at approximately N3 billion.
The charges, marked as No. MEN/08c/2025, were filed at the Enugu North Magisterial District.
The alleged offences are punishable under sections 495(a), 416(a), 86, 259(b), and 415(b) of the Criminal Code Cap 30 Vol. II Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.
Speaking in Enugu on Sunday, Pastor Solomon Ekwueme and his sister, Roseline Ekwueme, vehemently denied the allegations, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.
“How can an 86-year-old blind man who has served as a traditional ruler for nearly a decade be accused of promoting war and committing arson?” Pastor Ekwueme questioned.
The family alleged that the charges stem from a lingering community crisis over the discovery of mineral resources in the area. According to Pastor Ekwueme, their father’s refusal to sign off community land to certain individuals with government connections has escalated the conflict.
He specifically accused a man identified as Mr. Livinus Okolo, alias Zion, of orchestrating the ordeal. The family claims Okolo seeks to dethrone Igwe Odenigbo and install himself as the traditional ruler to gain control of the land.
The Ekwueme family has called on Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, Senator Osita Ngwu, Udi Local Government Chairman Hyginus Agu, and other well-meaning Nigerians to intervene in the matter.
“It is heartbreaking for us to see our father, a retired elder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and a respected traditional leader, locked up like a common criminal at the behest of a man who has terrorized the community,” Pastor Ekwueme said.
The family presented documents to support their claims, including letters written by the monarch to the Inspector General of Police and other authorities, detailing the ongoing threats against him and his community.
