Governor Mbah,
The children of Igwe Ekwueme Odenigbo, the traditional ruler of Akpakume in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, have urgently appealed to Governor Peter Mbah to secure the release of their 86-year-old blind father and their brother, Solomon Ekwueme, from detention.
The two were arrested and detained in the Enugu Correctional Service Centre following a petition filed by a prominent community member, Mr. Livinus Okolo, also known as Zion.
The monarch’s children, in an emotional plea, have also called on Senator Osita Ngwu, representing the Enugu West Senatorial Zone, and the Chairman of Udi Local Government, Engr. Hyginus Agu, to intervene in the ongoing detention.
Expressing their deep sorrow, 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 Akpakume community, Mr. Livinus Okolo Alias Zion.”
In a letter titled “Unlawful Incarceration of Our 86-Year-Old Father, HRH, Igwe Pastor Ekwueme Odenigbo, [Ohabueze II Akpakume Ancient Kingdom], Alongside Our Brother Ekwueme, Moses Izuchukwu”, the children of Igwe Odenigbo, led by Pastor Solomon Ekwueme, are pleading for the immediate release of their father.
They assert that the situation began on December 23, 2024, when Okolo, accompanied by about 20 armed men, allegedly attacked their father’s palace, beat the elderly monarch and his wife, and seized valuables, including his staff of office.
Okolo claimed that Igwe Odenigbo had been dethroned due to involvement in illegal mining and that he, Okolo, was now the acting Igwe.
The children stated, “Following Okolo’s attack on their father, irate youths in the community went and destroyed some part of Okolo’s house.”
They further explained that although Igwe Odenigbo petitioned the police over the attack on his palace, no arrests were made, citing Okolo’s strong political connections and influence.
When Okolo’s house was later destroyed by angry youths, he filed a counter-petition, resulting in the arrest of Chief Marius Ezeanyanwu, the traditional prime minister-elect, for allegedly inciting the violence.
The monarch’s children allege that the situation escalated when Okolo petitioned the police about the destruction of his house, leading to the detention of Igwe Odenigbo and his son, Solomon, on January 9, 2025.
Despite being detained, the children claim, “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.”
The family is calling on the state government, well-meaning Nigerians, and other concerned groups to pressure the authorities for the immediate release of their father and brother.
“We are calling on well-meaning Nigerians to join their voice to ours and call on the government to come to our aid and get our father and brother out of the prison.”
In response to the allegations, Livinus Okolo denied any wrongdoing.
He claimed that the police and state government had been investigating the situation, which led to the arrests of Igwe Odenigbo and others.
Okolo also accused the monarch and his family of being involved in illegal activities, particularly the sale of community land for mining.
Okolo explained, “Our problem is that they discovered coal and oil in our community, and one of them, Mr. Mathew Ani, a cousin brother to Igwe Odenigbo, agreed with Igwe and gave a consent to Eta-Suma Nigeria Limited to take over 90,000 plots of land at the rate of N12,560 per plot.”
In response, the Enugu State Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Okey Ogbodo, confirmed that Igwe Odenigbo had been suspended for allegedly undermining the state government.
Ogbodo also accused the monarch of granting approval to the Eta-Zuma Mining Company to operate in the community without state authorization, contributing to the crisis.
Ogbodo revealed that some of the items the monarch’s children claimed were taken by Okolo, including the certificate of oath and staff of office, are currently in the custody of his office.
