Indigenes of Agunese Mmaku Autonomous Community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State have appealed to Governor Peter Mbah to intervene in a prolonged leadership crisis involving their traditional ruler, HRH Cyprian Maduabuchi Nevobasi.
The protesters, who marched to the Enugu State Government House on Thursday, accused the monarch of alleged intimidation, harassment and interference in community affairs.
They moved from Okpara Square to the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs before proceeding to the Government House, where they submitted a petition seeking the suspension of the traditional ruler pending an investigation.
The petition, dated September 23, 2026, was signed by the community’s Legal Adviser, Vincent Okafor.
The protesters alleged that the traditional ruler had interfered in town union activities and electoral processes, while allegedly using his influence to intimidate some community members.
They also claimed that the dispute over the traditional stool had persisted for more than two decades and had contributed to prolonged divisions within the community.
The petition stated, “Since Cyprian Maduabuchi Nevobasi forced himself on the throne of our community, over two decades ago, the community has known no peace.”
The protesters further alleged that some people had died in incidents linked to the crisis and claimed that previous complaints to the authorities had not adequately resolved the issues.
They said the situation worsened in 2021 after a group known as the Agunese Way Forward Initiative was formed by 16 young indigenes to address what they described as longstanding problems in the community.
According to the petition, the group raised N6 million to support the emergence of a new town union leadership.
The protesters alleged that tensions escalated after the initiative became known, claiming that a voice note purportedly from the monarch was circulated in which members were allegedly threatened.
They also alleged that a town union election scheduled for December 30, 2021, was disrupted.
The petition further claimed that some community members were subsequently arrested over allegations linking them to criminal activities, including associations with unknown gunmen, the Eastern Security Network and the Indigenous People of Biafra.
The protesters called for the release of individuals they said remained in detention, insisting that suspects should be subjected to due legal process.
They stated, “Where any person is suspected of a crime, the appropriate constitutional and legal procedure is investigation, charge where sufficient evidence exists, and trial before a competent court—not indefinite detention.”
The protesters also alleged that the latest dispute arose on September 18, when an election to select a new town union executive was scheduled.
They claimed that the incumbent President-General, Chief Simeon Okike, Electoral Committee Chairman, Euzebus Okolo, and Secretary, Richard Ukekwe, were abducted before the election could take place.
The protesters alleged that a voice note circulating on community WhatsApp platforms suggested that the alleged abduction was intended to prevent the election.
They said a caretaker arrangement was subsequently proposed.
The petition described the development as another attempt to disrupt the community’s democratic process.
The protesters also raised questions about the traditional ruler’s alleged residence in South Africa and called on the state government to examine the matter in line with relevant state laws.
They demanded an independent investigation into all the allegations and urged the governor to suspend the monarch pending the outcome.
The petition stated, “We humbly urge you, sir, to come to the aid of my town, Agunese Mmaku Autonomous Community, by suspending the Igwe to allow for an investigation into all of our complaints.”
Placards carried during the protest included messages such as “Due Process Not Intimidation,” “Suspend the Igwe Pending Investigation” and “Justice, Due Process for Agunese.”
Speaking with journalists, Okafor and the outgoing community chairman, Chief Nathaniel Mgbudike, repeated the protesters’ allegations and appealed to the state government to intervene.
The allegations could not be independently verified, while the traditional ruler was reportedly unavailable for comment at the time of the report.
The protesters said their primary objective was to restore peace and confidence in the community’s traditional and town union leadership structures.
